Emergency responders who died in the line of duty were honored Sunday at the Rockland County Courthouse with a solemn service.

The sounds of taps and bagpipes filled the air as officials honored 27 Rockland law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

A roll call of their names was read followed by a moment of silence. Flowers and wreaths were also placed near a stone memorial bearing their names.

Mary O'Grady Crowley lost her brother, Nyack Police Sgt. Edward O'Grady, during a 1981 Brinks armored truck robbery. "I'm happy to be here ? that they're remembered ? all the officers, not just my brother. ? But also, it's a sad day," O'Grady Crowley said.

Officials said the purpose of the service was to remember the heroes for how they lived their lives, not how they died.