Officers Honored at Police Memorial Day Ceremony

Wearing formal uniforms, carrying rifles and flags, officers from area police departments gathered in Natick on Thursday for a ceremony that honored current and former police officers. 

MIT police chief John DiFava spoke at the event and reflected on the killing of one of his officers last month. 

"Nothing was as difficult as the death of Sean Collier because it was pure evil and nothing less," DiFava said. 

Rene Rancourt, a Natick native and singer who regularly performs the National Anthem before Bruins hockey games, began the ceremony with the country's official song. 

"It's a matter of never forgetting," James Hicks, Natick police chief said after the event. "It reminds us to think back at those we have lost."