Weather dampens Pikes Peak Region Peace Officers’ memorial service

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Local, state and federal law enforcement officers gathered Friday to honor officers killed in the line of duty.

Despite bad weather, the annual Pikes Peak Region Peace Officers' Memorial Day service went on with some adjustments. 

The event honors 33 Pikes Peak area peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1895. Several special guests, including El Paso Co. Sheriff Bill Elder and Coroner Leon Kelly, were originally scheduled to speak this morning. But because of the incoming storm, they had to adjust their plans. 

"We're going to have a small contingent, including our honor guard and our mounted unit, proceed with at least a portion of the ceremony," said El Paso Co. Sheriff's Office Commander Lari Hanenberg. "And the Undersheriff is going to lay the wreath as at least part of the ceremony to ensure that on the day of that was originally scheduled that we show that honor for the fallen until we have an opportunity to reschedule."

Across the U.S., more than 25,000 officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1776. The El Paso Co. Sheriff's Office says that it's important to have an event like this to honor these officers whose futures were cut short.

The Sheriff's Office plans to reschedule the event to ensure that the families of fallen officers can attend. A new date has not yet been announced.