Every year members of law enforcement needlessly die in the line of duty.

Just last month, Vilas County Deputy Kory Dahlvig was killed by an alleged drunk driver while on a call.

This week is National Law Enforcement Week...and communities across the country are taking a moment to reflect.

Thursday morning about 50 men and women in uniform gathered at the Rib Mountain Safety Building to remember those who have lost their lives.

"This is a localized event that memorializes officers who have been killed in the line of duty and recognizes the survivors," said Capt. Tim Carnahan, with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Capt. Carnahan led the ceremony, and called the names of five officers from Marathon County who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The keynote speaker, a volunter with Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, told the crowd that we must not forget the families left behind when an officer is killed.

"This type of death, the line of duty death, is so much more unique than any other death," said Mary VanHaute, who is not a survivor herself.

She and her husband, who worked in law enforcement for more than three decades, volunteer with COPS as a way to give back.

"We're blessed to have all those years together," she said.

Those honored today were: Officer Edward Baerwald, Wausau Police Dept.; Officer John DeLisle, Schofield Police Dept.; Trooper Donald Pederson, WI State Patrol; Officer John Braun, Schofield Police Dept.; Deputy Jeffrey Sheets, Marathon Co. Sherrif's Dept.