BEAUMONT, Texas — Dozens gathered outside the Beaumont Police Department to pay their respects to officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mother, brothers and children were all there to remember lost loved ones.
Among the crowd was Cyndi Hebert.
Her son, Bryan Hebert, was killed while on duty on June 8, 2011.
That night, officers were in a high-speed pursuit.
Bryan was behind his car, getting out "spikes" to stop the driver.
Cyndi says the driver was going 100 mph without his lights on when he crashed into Bryan.
"I just miss Bryan's big ole smile. He was always happy, upbeat," said Hebert.
Eight years have passed, but the pain of losing her son never goes away.
Cyndi is grateful the Beaumont Police Department honors officers like Bryan but wishes memorials like these weren't needed.
"I'm so sad that there's so many added each year," said Cyndi.
"This is a labor of love," said Beaumont Police Officer Carol Riley. "Officers that choose this profession, they know every day they go to work it may be their last day."
Most importantly, police say they want the families to know they are not forgotten.
Since 1881, 17 Beaumont Police officers have died in the line of duty.
"They'll never have their family member back, but this is our way of reminding them that they'll always be in hearts and we'll always respect and pay tribute to their sacrifice," said Officer Riley.
Police give families like Bryan's something to hold on to and cherish.