Officers saluted their fallen colleagues during the ceremony at the Wilshire Division. (photo by Edwin Folven)

A memorial paying tribute to officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty was unveiled on Nov. 7 at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division.

The memorial is comprised of two lion statues and a stone obelisk with the names of the eight officers assigned to the Wilshire Division who died while on duty since the station opened in 1922. The memorial project took more than five years to complete and was made possible with funding and support from the Windsor-Square-Hancock Park Historical Society, the First-In Fire Foundation, Park La Brea and Superior Contractors.

Officers from the Wilshire Division and LAPD administrators gathered with Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District, and members of the community to unveil the memorial. Officers placed roses at the base of the obelisk in honor of their fallen colleagues.

“Our purpose in gathering today is to pay tribute to those officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty, protecting and serving the community here at Wilshire and in the city of Los Angeles,” said Capt. Jeffrey Hollis, commanding officer of the Wilshire Division. “We honor those who gave their lives as a noble sacrifice protecting others.”

“This memorial stands as a permanent tribute not just to the eight fallen officers from the Wilshire Division, but to every officer who has pledged to protect and serve with unwavering commitment,” Yaroslavsky said. “We stand with you and recognize the sacrifices that you make every day to ensure all of our collective safety, and we are committed as a city to fostering a partnership between our first responders and the communities you all protect. This unified support is essential to a resilient, prepared and compassionate Los Angeles.”

The memorial is located near the front entryway at the Wilshire Division community police station, 4861 Venice Blvd. To reach the front desk, call (213)473-0476.

Roses were placed on the memorial to commemorate officers killed in the line of duty. (photo by Edwin Folven)