RICHMOND, Ky. (FOX 56) — The names of each Kentucky law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in 2022 were honored Thursday morning in a special ceremony. Kentucky lost seven men in blue in 2022. Each year the names of those fallen are added to a permanent memorial in Richmond, where during the ceremony they were unveiled to a solemn crowd of family members and fellow police officers.

“In Scripture, we are told there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. We have seen this love in the lives and the sacrifices of Travis Hurley, Jerry Critchelow, Jody Cash, Ralph Frasure, William Petry, Jacob Chaffins, and Logan Medlock,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in his remarks.

The widow of Medlock spoke to FOX 56 about the memory of her husband.

“He worked hard. He was driven. He would give you the shirt off his back, and he would help anyone, and he would jump in front of a bullet for anyone that he worked with or anyone in the community because that’s just who he was,” Courtney Medlock said.

Medlock was a police officer in London who was killed in October 2022 when a drunken driver struck his patrol car. Courtney said the pain has not gotten easier.

“The next day you’re looking at a photo and it breaks you. I like to describe it as this is our new hell, and we have to navigate it and figure out how to get through it because it’s not easy. And I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” she said.

But she explained how one saving grace is a support system from the families and fellow officers who have experienced the same grief.

“Knowing that someone is going through the same thing as you is sad. You don’t want them to feel this pain at all, but it gives you a sense of comfort that someone understands and that you can talk to them, and they will understand,” she said.

That same support system is now being called on by another Kentucky family this week after Scott County Deputy Caleb Conley was killed Monday during a traffic stop. His name will join those unveiled Thursday when the ceremony is held again next year.

“Deputy Conley was one of the most awarded deputies in his office. His wife, children, young children, and parents are mourning his loss today. And we lift them and all of these families up in prayer,” Beshear said.