LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- On Thursday, law enforcement agencies from across Acadiana honored fallen officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

A police memorial motorcade held a procession from the Lafayette Police Department to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for a special service.

A total of 24 officers killed in the line of duty were honored. The men bravely gave their lives for the communities they swore to protect.

From Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette, killed in the line of duty last year, to Corporal Michael Middlebrook killed in 2017, all the way back to officers like Simon Chaisson whose end of watch dates back to 1926, their fellow brothers and sisters in blue honored their memories.

"These officers were more than law enforcement professionals. They were heroes who selflessly placed their safety in others above their own lives," Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard said at the ceremony.

In a special service, the names of the 24 men were read aloud. A candle was then lit and a rose placed in front of it in their memory.

"Unlike most professions, the brave men and women who choose a life in law enforcement understand the inherent risk that one day, they may be called upon to lay their life down for another person in the line of duty," the chief added.

Sr. Cpl. Segus Jolivette's son placed the flower for his father.

"Officer Rodney Trahan was killed in the line of duty on April 4, 1969. My father died from vehicle injuries sustained while pursuing a suspect's vehicle. He was 23 years old, a U.S. Army veteran, and is survived by his wife, Gloria, who was expecting their first child, myself. End of watch, April 4, 1969," Rodney Trahan's daughter said.

Loved ones of officers from Abbeville, New Iberia, St. Mary Parish, St. Landry, Chitimacha, and everywhere in between lit the candles, as a message that their light will forever shine in their hearts.

"Sorry, I take after my dad, Chief David Richard," one woman spoke. "Chief David Richard was a law enforcement officer for over 30 years."

At the ceremony, the Lafayette Mayor-President's office announced Lafayette will celebrate May 15 as 'Peace Officer Memorial Day.' That week will also be known as 'Police Week.'

"We will ensure that every person who walks through the halls understand the impact that these heroes and what impact they had on our city," the police chief added in the ceremony. "That's why we're here today. To rejoice, to celebrate."

The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute.

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