Colonel Brian Rhodes saluted Chief Deputy Bryan Lockhart who is the chief of the Criminal Division during the Peace Officers Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony outside of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 309 Fourth St. on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA — The community gathered for the wreath laying ceremony in front of the Peace Officers Memorial and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Memorial on Thursday.

At the corner of Third and Putnam street, officers honored their fallen brethren by taking a moment to publicly recognize their sacrifice.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors while the wreaths were handed off to an officer who then placed it on display before the respective memorial sites. The ceremony was followed by speakers such as Mayor Josh Schlicher, Commissioner Charlie Schilling and Sheriff Mark Warden.

“Behind me are seven names on this monument, but they were more than just names,” said Warden.

After the wreaths were displayed on the Peace Officers Memorial, the crowd made their way to Fourth Street for the ceremony in front of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Memorial.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard carried the American and Ohio flags during the Peace Officers Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“I’d like to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting the communities and safeguarding our country,” said Schlicher.

National Police Week is honored from May 11-17 to formally recognize the officers who serve their communities.

According to Washington County 911 Director Douglas Moore, the county has made history by being the first county in Ohio to formally recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders.

“For far too long, 911 dispatchers have worked behind the scenes-calmly guiding people through their darkest moments-without the recognition or support given to traditional first responders,” said Moore in a press release.

The Washington County Commission passed a resolution to formally acknowledge the importance of the role and the demands of the profession.

Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden delivered a brief speech in front of the Peace Officers Memorial at the corner of Third and Putnam Street on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard stood at attention with the American and Ohio Flag at the wreath laying ceremony. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden and Colonel Brian Rhodes walked down the sidewalk on Third Street to deliver the wreath on the podium in front of the Peace Officers Memorial. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department stood at attention in front of the Peace Officers Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony Thursday morning. (Photo by Amber Phipps)