Greenville police and guests came together on Wednesday for Law Enforcement Memorial Day to honor those officers killed in the line of duty.

Guest speaker Attorney General Troy King called Wednesday a “sacred day and a sacred time.”

“The ground of our state has been littered with the blood of heroes,” said King, addressing the rows of Greenville police and Butler County sheriff’s deputies. “Why Alabama is safe is because of people just like you.”

Like many cities across the state, Greenville has felt the hurt of losing a police officer. George Brien died in 1904 while serving as police officer, while patrolman Joe Herring died in 1968, the victim of a motorcycle accident. But most Greenville residents remember officer Gary Wayne Heath, who was gunned down at local convenience store in 1994.

King said he keeps a photograph of Greenville’s memorial (which stands in front of City Hall) in his office.

Cpl. Kenneth Hadley was presented an award as the city’s Officer of the Year. Police Chief Lonzo Ingram said Hadley exhibited a willingness to do everything he could to help the department, including working overtime. The award is sponsored by CorStone.

Sgt. Curtis Miller was presented the Gary Wayne Heath Education Award this year. The award is sponsored by Camellia Communications.

Ingram also recognized those officers who are involved in the community, including Lt. Justin Lovvorn, Lt. Joe Disney, and Sgt. Andy Beck, who are all involved in working with youth league teams in the parks and recreation department and Greenville YMCA.