TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -The first-floor rotunda of the State House was lit up in blue as law enforcement joined their families and community members to remember fellow officers who have died in the line of duty across the state.

The evening began with a few words from Sheriff Brian C. Hill and Mayor Mike Padilla, followed by an emotional performance as everyone lit up blue tealight candles.

Immediately after, everyone filed out to the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument for a prayer and a moment of silence.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund , 136 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2023, while 51 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2024. Sheriff Hill says the uptick in officer deaths makes nights like these that much more heavy, but they find comfort in being together.

“Unfortunately every year there’s more names that go on the wall and officers all come together and this is something that unites us,” Hill said.

The Law Enforcement Week services continue tomorrow.

The annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony will be held in the second-floor rotunda at noon tomorrow. A wreath-laying ceremony will take place immediately after at the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument where three officers’ names will be added.