Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and respond in times of crisis.

Sadly, last year 143 of these brave men and women never returned home.

In 1962, to salute the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families, Congress established May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week on which it falls as National Police Week.

This week, communities nationwide and across southwest Michigan are uniting to honor and remember those officers who were killed in the line of duty, as well as the family, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

The names of 394 officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The newly engraved names include those of the 143 officers killed in 2016, and an additional 251 officers who died in previous years.

The names were read during a poignant and emotional candlelight vigil at the memorial.

Here in southwest Michigan, local police officers, families of current and former officers and people from throughout the area took part in the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day Service at the Law Enforcement Memorial located in St. Joseph’s Lake Bluff Park.

Our law enforcement officers serve and protect the residents of Michigan. The national and local memorials are reminders that their work is often dangerous, and too often ends in tragedy.

One way to pay tribute to the heroes who lost their lives in service to our community is to assist their families during their time of need.

In that effort, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of legislation that would create a “Thin Blue Line” fundraising license plate. The resources raised through the voluntary purchase of the special plate would be used to support families of injured or fallen law enforcement officers.

Remembering our fallen officers is a great reminder of how blessed we are to have such amazing and selfless officers here in Michigan. I encourage residents to thank our outstanding law enforcement officers for all they do to make our state and communities safe.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents southwest Michigan.