Seven officers, seven lives and families -- united now in loss. Like Ottawa Police Constable Eric Czapnik, who died in December, stabbed while taking notes outside an Ottawa hospital.
His wife, Anna, - spoke at a separate tribute for him, saying the "ongoing support" has left her and the family "deeply touched."
"Anna is probably the strongest, most resilient woman I've ever met in my life," said Ottawa police chief Vern White. "She has helped us work through this better than we've probably helped her."
The family of police and peace officers gathered on Parliament Hill Sunday, 5,000 strong, and hailing from across Canada and parts of the United States.
Next to Czapnik's cap is the Stetson of Constable Chelsey Robinson, an Alberta Mountie. She was on the job seven months when she died in a traffic collision.
"She loved serving in the community, and she loved being in the RCMP; she was great," said Stefanie Metka, Robinson's cousin. "I loved her very much, and I'm going to miss her very much."
The nation's capital mourns another one of it's own: RCMP Chief Supt. Doug Coates, who together with New Brunswick mountie Serg. Mark Gallagher, died in the Haitian earthquake.
Also lost in 2009: OPP Const. Vu Pham, Peel Regional Const. James Ochakovsky and Levis Police Const. Melanie Roy.
"They stood for the rule of law that preserves and protects our safety, our freedom and our democracy," said Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
The Honour Roll behind Parliament Hill serves as a constant reminder of duty, courage and sacrifice.
The names of some 800 police and peace officers who died in Canadian service are forever etched on the plates, overlooking the land they were sworn to protect.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Jonathan Rotondo
