The pain of Officer Erik Hite's death is still fresh in the hearts of his fellow Tucson police officers.
During a ceremony honoring Hite and other fallen Tucson police officers Wednesday evening, tears welled in the eyes of many of his colleagues when his photo was placed on a wall next to other slain officers.
Hite was one of eight officers who were remembered at the Tucson Police Department's Peace Officers Memorial Service at police headquarters, 270 S. Stone Ave.
About 400 officers and family members attended the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute, a helicopter flyover and roses placed on the memorial in memory of each officer.
Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor accompanied Hite's widow, Nohemy Hite, as they hung Hite's photo on the wall.
Hite was killed last June by a gunman during a crosstown shooting spree.
His 1-year-old daughter, Samantha, and other family members also were at the ceremony.
Villaseñor said during the ceremony that family members and colleagues can find comfort in services that honor fallen officers.
It was the first function Villaseñor attended as police chief.
"This shows the importance of the job I'm taking over," he said.
Police officers and citizens can do a lot to remember the officers, he said.
"There has to be more to this than a simple 'thank you,' " he said. "It's not about what we say, but how we show our respect."
