RESERVE — Giving your life during the pursuit of protecting others, in the eyes of many, is the ultimate sacrifice.

Tears were shed Wednesday as family members and officers in blue gathered to remember the eight St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In an intimate gathering outside of the Percy Herbert Building in LaPlace, Sheriff Mike Tregre, along with local law enforcement officers, released black and blue balloons into the sky. The balloon release, according to Tregre, was done in honor of Law Enforcement Memorial Week.

Men and women in blue gathered later Wednesday night with the families of the eight fallen at Regal Gym in Reserve for a vigil. The event was originally supposed to be held outdoors but was moved inside due to the threat of bad weather.

Unfortunately, Tregre said, because the vigil was held inside, real candles could not be used due to the safety hazard. Instead small battery operated ones were placed in front of the photos of the eight fallen officers.

“The purpose of the ceremony is to remember the officers, especially the ones from St. John, but also across the country who gave their lives to keep all of us safe,” Tregre said. “We are going to do this every year for Law Enforcement Week to let those guys know that their sacrifices and families will not be forgotten.”

It takes a special type of person, Tregre said, to become a law enforcement agent.

“We do a job that a lot of people want to do but very few people can do,” he said. “They have to have the heart of a public servant. Not everyone is up for this task. I love sports, I watch these professional athletes give away footballs after they score a touchdown. What we give, instead of a football, to a child is a safe community and no NFL player can do that.”

Daniell Nielsen said Wednesday’s ceremony was bittersweet.

Nielsen was the wife of Deputy Brandon Nielsen, who was killed in the line of duty along with Deputy Jeremy Triche, Aug. 16, 2012.

“It makes me proud that I was his wife,” she said. “I have a proud heart, but it’s bittersweet because it’s acknowledgement that he isn’t here anymore, and that’s hard.”

Trying to hold back tears, Nielsen said her husband was loved by many.

“(Brandon) was funny and such a good daddy,” Nielsen said. “He would take the girls to the zoo and the insectarium and do all kinds of fun things with them. He was a good dad and a good husband.

“He wasn’t a great cook but he was a good husband,” she joked.

Nielsen said she wants families of other fallen officers to know they are not alone.

“Surround yourself with people who get it,” she said. “We are all here for each other. We may not feel exactly the same thing, because everyone’s grief is different, but we definitely have common ground. We are all here to support each other.”

St. John officers killed in the line of duty honored Wednesday were Constable Ignace Rousselle, Deputy Harry Troxlair Sr., Det. Lt. Sherman Walker, Deputy Barton Granier, Code Officer Edmond Songy Jr., Captain Octavio “Ox” Gonzalez, Deputy Nielsen and Deputy Triche.

A bell was rung in memory after each officer’s name was called.