In a show of solemn respect for the fallen, the Irving Police Department will be conducting its annual memorial ceremony this coming week, commemorating the lives of Texas law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty for the 2023-2024 period, including their own Officer Glenn Homs, Officer Aubrey Hawkins, and Officer Andrew Esparza, as detailed by the Irving Police Department.

In a departure from past practice where the ceremony was a private affair, the Irving Police Department is extending an invitation to the general public this year, asking civilians to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in honoring the bravery and sacrifices of their colleagues, the event marks a first in the department's history and a step towards greater community inclusion, unveiling a layer of the police's oft-guarded comradery, the department hopes community members will come forth in large numbers.

The names of the fallen officers—the late Officer Glenn Homs (EOW 7/3/93), Officer Aubrey Hawkins (EOW 12/24/00), and Officer Andrew Esparza (EOW 4/13/07)—will be remembered for their ultimate sacrifices. The department wishes to ensure these officers and their contributions are never forgotten, their memories etched into the fabric of the community.

This poignant remembrance event, occurring during Police Week, highlights the police department’s commitment to "unwavering support" for its members as neatly captured in the Facebook post, with the upcoming memorial becomes a physical and communal expression of this ethos and a bridge to the citizens they swore to protect, it's a call to action for residents to join in a collective pause, a moment of gratitude for those who donned the badge and met tragic ends.