Two Walker County law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty will be honored in Washington D.C., today, May 13.

According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office:

Two Walker County law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty will be recognized, and their names will be engraved onto the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The two officers that will be recognized are former sheriff Albert G. Catron and former deputy sheriff Joe W. Morton.

Sheriff Catron was shot on May 27, 1921, while investigating a moonshine transport operation on Lookout Mountain. Catron died the following day from his wounds. James Douglas was convicted of Catron’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy sheriff Morton was shot and killed on March 18, 1922, in the Durham community. George Baker was convicted of Morton’s murder and was hanged at the Walker County jail.

Today the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund will host its 21st annual Candlelight Vigil as part of National Police Week.

This year, the names of 387 law enforcement heroes will be officially dedicated on the memorial. These heroes include 133 officers who died in the line of duty in 2008, plus another 254 fallen officers who had died previously. For more information about the ceremony, go to www.nleomf.com/NPW2009.