Fallen officers, first responders honored at St. Patrick's 'Blue Mass' on Tuesday
WASHINGTON (7News) — St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., held its 28th annual 'Blue Mass' on Tuesday, honoring fallen officers and first responders. The ceremony also included prayers for those who are currently serving in law enforcement and the fire service.
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Organizers said there were 458 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2021, including dozens from the D.C. area.
"We pray in a particular way for all law enforcement officers who have lost their lives or have been seriously injured in defense of the safety and security of their fellow citizens," said D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who led the service at St. Patrick's.
Federal, state and local first responders from police agencies across the region were in attendance, along with family members of the fallen.
The ceremony began with a procession just outside the church near the intersection of 10th and G Streets Northwest.
Some of the local first responders honored during the 'Blue Mass' include:
- USCP Officer Brian Sicknick -- He died following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol of natural causes. End of Watch: January 7, 2021
- USCP Officer Billy Evans -- He was struck by the driver of a car who intentionally rammed a security checkpoint where Evans was working outside the Capitol. End of Watch: April 2, 2021
- Corporal George Gonzalez -- The Pentagon Force Protection Agency officer who died in an attack near the bus platform at the Pentagon Metro station. End of Watch: August 3, 2021
- Sergeant Frederick Henry Cameron -- Fairfax County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: January 12, 2021
- Corporal Christine Lynn Peters -- Greenbelt, Maryland, Police Department, End of Watch: January 14, 2021
- Captain James Anthony Sisk -- Culpeper County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: October 1, 2021
- Police Officer Keona Schannel Holley -- Baltimore City, Maryland, Police Department, End of Watch: December 23, 2021
- Police Officer Gregory Michael Santangelo -- Frederick City, Maryland, Police Department, End of Watch: December 28, 2021
RELATED | 458 U.S. officers died in the line of duty in 2021. Only time it was higher was in 1930.
Fallen members of several federal agencies were honored as well, including officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI.
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Their names were read aloud one at a time, along with their end of watch date.
"It's hard to hold back the tears," said Denise LeValley, who attended Tuesday's 'Blue Mass'. "It's really overwhelming to see so many agencies together and to remember their brothers and sisters that put on that uniform every single day and put their life on the line."
LeValley's husband, FBI Special Agent In Charge David LeValley, died in May of 2018 from from 9/11-related cancer.
"He was working in New York City when September 11, 2001 happened, and he worked ground zero for a number of days, then a few months. And during that time, from all the debris, he contracted leukemia," she said, adding that he was diagnosed in 2010 and died eight years later.
LeValley said her husband spent a lot of time at the FBI's DC-based headquarters. She now lives in this area and is active in the D.C. Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
She told 7News it means a lot to see the 'Blue Mass' take place here every year.
"Just seeing all the new families with new loss, and knowing what they're going through in that moment," she said. "I can help and try to provide some comfort to other new widows, widowers, and tell them there is hope and a good group of us that will be here and support them."
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St. Patrick Catholic Church also live-streamed the ceremony online.
