Fallen officers honored

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, an emotional tribute was held on Thursday to honor fallen officers nationwide, including two men who went to work in Charlotte on March 31, 2007, and did not come home.

At the service on Thursday, 192 families were still asking the question, "Why?"

"It's so sad that so many people lose their lives everyday in support of us," said Michelle Inman, who is a close friend of Jennifer Shelton.

Shelton's husband, Jeff, was killed along with fellow officer Sean Clark 13 months ago at an apartment complex in northeast Charlotte.

"I believe he looks down on her now and he says, 'Go on. Live your life and make me proud,'" Inman said.

But for a wife missing her husband, that is difficult.

"It's been hard to see Jennifer try to die right along with him and to remind her everyday that she didn't," Inman said.

Surrounded by a sea of blue at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, Shelton and Clark's widow Sherry were escorted to place a single red carnation in a memorial wreath.

For Inman, there is something to be learned from tragedy: Say thank you when you can.

"I think it is important to remember before it's too late," she said.

Thursday's memorial service was the largest event of National Police Week with an estimated 40,000 people on hand. About 25,000 of those were police officers, including a contingent from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.