CLARKSBURG, WV—The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division honored fallen law enforcement officers and FBI agents at the annual Memorial Ceremony in Honor of Fallen West Virginia Law Enforcement Officers on Tuesday, May 20.

During the solemn ceremony, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies paid tribute to all West Virginia law enforcement officers and FBI agents who have given their lives in the line of duty. While there were no deaths in the line of duty for West Virginia officers in 2024, across the nation, 64 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed on the job. An additional 85,730 officers were assaulted in 2024—a rate of 13.5 assaults per 100 officers. That marked the highest officer assault rate in the past 10 years. So far this year, 18 law enforcement officers have been feloniously killed. These numbers reflect the reality of the dangers law enforcement officers face every time they put on their badge.

"Despite no West Virginia law enforcement officers being killed in the line of duty in 2024, it was important for the CJIS Division to continue the tradition," said CJIS Division Assistant Director Timothy A. Ferguson. "This ceremony is an opportunity to honor the fallen officers and their families. We also want to tell law enforcement: we have your back. The CJIS Division supports you and your mission, and we are going to share the critical criminal justice information you need to help you make it home safely."

FBI Police placed an American flag and a wreath near a memorial bearing names of the fallen. Local police officers and FBI agents read the names of 243 West Virginia law enforcement officers and 90 FBI agents during the roll call ceremony.

The annual ceremony has been held on the FBI’s CJIS Division campus since 1995.