Law enforcement officers, state officials, and family members gathered Wednesday to pay tribute to a Massachusetts state trooper and an Auburn police officer killed in the line of duty this year, and to add four names of fallen officers to the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial.
At the 30th annual ceremony to honor slain officers, officials and police leaders read the names of more than 360 law enforcement officials who have died protecting the Commonwealth.
Governor Charlie Baker, with help from an Auburn police officer and a state trooper, laid a wreath at the memorial to honor State Trooper Thomas Clardy and Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr., as well as four officers with Massachusetts roots who were killed in the line of duty elsewhere in the country.
The names of four officers — Lynn Patrolman George Crowell, who died in 1875; Saugus Patrolman Phillip Pitts, 1889; Peabody Patrolman Edward Johansen, 1977; and Boston Patrolman Jose Maceira, 1977 — were added to the memorial at the ceremony, held in Ashburton Park beside the State House.
The names of Clardy and Tarentino will be added next year.
Clardy, 44, was killed March 16 when his cruiser was struck during a traffic stop on the Massachusetts Turnpike. His wife, Reisa Clardy, who attended the ceremony with five of their children, said the tribute was “very touching.’’
“The outpouring of support is wonderful,’’ she said after the ceremony. “The kids know how special their father is. My husband would be very proud to see everyone is still here for us.’’
Tarentino, 42, was killed during a traffic stop on May 22 when the driver shot him several times as he made his way to the car. Tarentino’s wife, three kids, and parents attended the ceremony.
“You hear the good things he did. It’s good to see he touched their hearts,’’ his father, Lawrence, said of the police community. “I don’t know if you get through [the grief], but you just try everyday.’’
The four fallen officers with Massachusetts roots were Prince William County, Va., Patrolman Ashley Marie Guindon, Hillsborough County, Fla., Deputy Sheriff John Kotfila, Dallas Police Patrolman Michael Leslie Krol, and University of Colorado Patrolman Garrett Preston Russell Swasey.
Attorney General Maura Healey spoke of the sacrifices of law enforcement officers and their families.
“As a family of a law enforcement officer, you have to be equally strong and selfless. Because I know, we know, that it’s not just the officer that serves. The entire family serves,’’ she said. “On behalf of the law enforcement community, I want to thank you for sharing your loved ones with us.’’
Dylan McGuinness can be reached at dylan.mcguinness@globe.com.
