As people across the nation honor fallen officers during National Police Week, the Rochester Police Department is celebrating 200 years of serving the community. 

In 1919, the city of Rochester was flourishing as the population continued to grow. But tragedy struck twice when two police officers were gunned down while working to keep the city safe. 

In March, Officer James Upton was checking on a possible break-in at a grocery store on South Plymouth Avenue near Tremont Street. When Upton and another officer got to the scene, they spotted two men running from the building. After quickly apprehending both suspects, Upton began to chase down another suspect. That's when the man opened fire, the bullet hitting Upton in the chest.

The suspect escaped but was later caught and sentenced to 20 years.

Upton was 30 years old at the time of his death. An honor guard of Rochester police officers participated in the procession that passed along West Avenue where he lived. His funeral was held at his home.　

Two months later, Rochester would lose another one of its officers in the line of duty.

It happened when Patrolman William O'Brien was shot and killed almost instantly by a burglar at a home here on Garson Avenue.　

"Bill here was a firemen and a policemen," said O'Brien's great nephew Ray Slattery. "He went from the fire department to the police department."

Slattery is a retired RPD cop who comes from a long line of blue.

"His [O'Brien's] parents were born in Ireland. My grandparents were born in Ireland. He lived on Barton Street, and I lived on Barton Street," Slattery added. "He went to St. Monica's, I went to St. Monica's."

Over the years technology has changed police work, but Slattery says the mission remains the same: to protect the public.

"Very proud, very proud of that line, and I'm very proud of the guys that are standing up there doing the job now," Slattery said. "It's a very difficult job."