Fallen federal law enforcement officers honored in Phoenix ceremony

PHOENIX — Federal law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored during a solemn ceremony on Wednesday morning in Phoenix.

Bethany Bible Church hosted the annual Department of Justice Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony.

The church was packed with agents, families, friends and supporters – including Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams and Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone.

Doug Coleman, the special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for Arizona, said the DEA honored ten agents.

“One of them, actually, was an academy classmate of mine,” he said. “One of them was one of my best friends and early partners when I came on the job.”

Michael DeLeon with the FBI Arizona field office said four more names are being added this year to the FBI’s Wall of Honor: Agents, he said, who died as a result of their work on 9-11.

“These agents responded to the scene – the landfills as well as the buildings. They did their investigative services, and were there for a period of time,” DeLeon said.

“And, over the years – as everyone knows – that had a toll.”

State and local officials held a roll call of those who lost their lives, and presented a wreath to honor Arizona police officers killed in the line of duty this past year.

The ceremony also honored agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and U.S. Marshals Service.

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