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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Hundreds of law enforcement officers, family, friends and community members gathered Friday morning for a somber ceremony.

The 19th Annual Pikes Peak Region Peace Officers' Memorial was held at America the Beautiful Park under cool and cloudy skies.

The memorial honored local law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

"Of all the presentations I'm asked to give this one I consider to be the most important. Of all the audiences I'm asked to stand before this is the one I consider to be the most difficult," Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey said.

Since 1985 there have been 27 Pikes Peak Area Peace Officers who have died in the line of duty.

"I for one believe there is a fine line between a civilized society and an uncivilized one, and that fine line is defined by the nearly 900,000 law enforcement officers, that because of who they are and that sense of duty to their community, place themselves in great danger every hour of their given shift," El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said.

"Last year 166 officers died in the line of duty. I want you to think about that for a minute, that's one officer ever other day," Carey said.

Many in attendance Friday knew all too well the pain of losing a peace officer.

"I am the proud brother of CSPD Detective Jared Jensen who was killed in the line of duty February 22, 2006. It is my privilege to be here with you today in honor of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice," CSPD Sgt. Jeff Jensen said.

Jensen was the key note speaker and said being a law enforcement officer isn't as glamorous as many might think.

"What would happen if an officer applying for the force were told the following? You can expect that at some point in time you will have to wrestle a naked person to the ground and it will probably be an overweight drunk male. You will have to smile and continue on your way as someone makes unbelievably disparaging remarks about your mother whom they've never met, and you will search places that should have been condemned decades ago hoping that when you get home you are clean enough to avoid exposing your family to these hazards," Jensen said.

He added that today's officers are part psychologist, paramedic, social worker, attorney, and life skills coach.

"With all of these responsibilities and the high rate of injury and death why are officers drawn to this career?" he asked.

"They are drawn to make a difference and that they do," he said.

Jensen said Friday's memorial is a reminder that though they have fallen they are not forgotten.

"I think it's very important that we do come together to remember these sacrifices. Doesn't matter if they happened recently or if they happened decades ago I think people need to know that we remember," Jensen said.

The last local peace officer killed in the line of duty was CSPD officer Kenneth Jordan who died in December 2006.