IMPD officer Leath honored at ceremony for nation’s fallen officers

WASHINGTON (WISH) — A candlelight vigil honored our nation’s fallen officers Thursday, including East District IMPD officer Breann Leath.  Tens of thousands of people attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C.

This year’s ceremony honored those who died in 2019 and 2020. Officer Leath died in the line of duty on April 9, 2020.

IMPD and the president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police shared several images of the ceremony on Twitter, including one of IMPD Chief Randal Taylor alongside rank and file officers, holding candles.

Several images of the various stone memorials for officers were featured including an image of Leath’s name inscribed alongside her brothers and sisters in blue. In total, 22,611 officers are recognized in Washington, D.C. for their sacrifice in the line of duty. 

“The candles are being lit and the light is being passed through the crowd. We’ve completed the reading of the names of all 701 names including historicals. Very moving,” said Rick Snyder, Indy FOP President in a Twitter post. 

National Police Week continues. Friday, the events include a national police survivors conference which offers grief support and recovery tools for those who have experienced traumatic events in their careers. It’s also a time to share inspirational messages from fellow officers. 

Saturday is the FOP 40th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. It’s another ceremony to honor law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. It includes a reading of the Roll Call of Heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty during the calendar year. 

You can watch a recording of Thursday’s candlelight ceremony here.