Thousands honor fallen officers nationwide in DC via livestream for the first time

On Sunday night fallen officers from all 50 states were recognized at our nation's capital.

It's an annual event that kicks off national police week. 

Thousands of people lined up in front of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC Sunday for the "United by Light" candlelight vigil.

This year marks the 10 year anniversary, and for the first time - anyone across the country could participate by watching the ceremony on live stream.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Texas leads in officer related deaths in the nation. That deepened the week long events in Austin honoring fallen officers.

Interim Austin Police Chief Brian Manley says it was moving to see how much support Texas has for officers. "This was actually signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. And it's something that's done every year to honor fallen officers from around the country. So we will have a contingent of officers that will be there this year. It's both a solemn ceremony of remembrance but it's also a celebration of life. There's a candlelight vigil and roll call and a really moving experience."

Congressman Lloyd Doggett says he attended the candlelight vigil in DC a few years ago, and when he found out Texas is number one in the nation for officer deaths, he made a few comments. "It's very troubling, we are a big state. We have officers in many different ways putting their lives on the line. Each one of those lives is valuable and I think it's appropriate that we're honoring them at this time."

“I think that we need to respect and support our law enforcement officers like those we saw working so effectively during the Austin bombings. I think that our local law enforcement and federal law enforcement worked together in an effective way and they saved many lives from what they did."