HERRIMAN, Utah — Signs showing the Utah officers killed in the line of duty were placed around Blackridge Reservoir in Herriman as part of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Normally, there would be a big event in Washington, D.C. to honor those officers, but the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to make it virtual online only.

That’s why many cities across the country, like Herriman, created their own memorials.

“I think it’s amazing,” said resident Marnie Benson. “It really is fascinating.”

Benson was at Blackridge Reservoir Friday when she saw the city putting up signs on the paved path around the reservoir.

She decided to come back when she had more time to take a better look at them.

“I’ve had to work this week, so I thought I’m going to come up on Saturday before they take it down and read all of it,” she said.

For #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay, signs of those killed in the line of duty in Utah have been placed around Blackridge Reservoir in @HerrimanCity. Lots of people were out reading them. We’re doing a story on this for @KSL5TV at 9pm. #ksltv @HerrimanPolice pic.twitter.com/MtNU3AA2Fl

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) May 15, 2021

As part of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, Herriman City placed signs along the trail that surrounds the reservoir. Each sign had pictures and a story of a Utah officer who died in the line of duty.

“Some of these date back to the mid-1800’s, which is really fascinating,” said Benson. “At the same time, it’s really moving.”

Seeing people stop to read the signs was moving to officers as well. For them, it showed many people still care about those who do the tough job, especially after the past year.

“The conversations that are going on are absolutely important and they are necessary and they will be beneficial for the community as a whole in the long run,” said Deputy Police Chief Cody Stromberg with the Herriman Police Department.

Even while looking to the future of police work, though, Stromberg said the memorial is about remembering the past.

Humans weren’t the only ones honored. Herriman’s own police K9, Hondo, was shot and killed in 2020.

“It has been over a year since we lost Hondo, but it still gets to us,” said Stromberg.

More than 140 officers in Utah have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Not every officer was included along the Memorial Trail, but Herriman is planning on doing it in future years and will include other officers.

“I enjoy learning the history of the officers that served and did what they did,” said Benson. “I hope people take the time and come up and look at this.”