More than 600 people came to the vigil to honor the Dallas police officers killed at a protest last week.
FREEHOLD -- Pictures of the five police officers killed at a protest in Dallas last week were illuminated by the soft glow from hundreds of candles lit by mourners who gathered Monday night in their honor.
"This candlelight vigil will do its best to remember their sacrifice and to honor it," said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. "Our candles will soon be lit, bright and glowing, but not nearly enough to do justice to their service and sacrifice."
Gramiccioni, the county's top law enforcement officer, was the first to speak at a solemn vigil held in front of the Monmouth County Police Academy building. More than 600 people attended the ceremony, mostly members of law enforcement throughout the county.
Sheriff Shaun Golden said the tragedy in Dallas, though it occurred far from New Jersey, affects all members of law enforcement who know how hard the job can be.
"Tonight was the least we could do here in Monmouth County and in the state of New Jersey to honor the fallen officers throughout the country and certainly the five officers killed in the line of duty in Dallas," Golden said in an interview following the vigil.
Officers Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Sgt. Michael Smith and Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens were on duty at a protest in Dallas Thursday night when they were gunned down. The otherwise peaceful protest was held in response to the fatal police-involved shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castil in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
The vigil included a wreath laying for each of the five slain Dallas officers.
After each wreath was laid, the badge number of the officer and the time they were killed, 8:58 p.m., was read aloud. "We thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice and service," an officer said at the podium. "Rest in peace our brother."
More than 600 people gathered Monday night at the Monmouth County Police Academy building in Freehold for a candlelight vigil to honor the five Dallas officers fatally shot last week. (Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Brian Cairns, 65, of Millstone, said he was drawn to the vigil because he felt an overwhelming sense of tragedy following the killings.
"To me, this is what it's about," Cairns said. "This sends a message to the Dallas Police Department and the people of Dallas that we support them. This is what we do as Americans. We show up. And right now, I'm proud to be an American."
Pastor Mark White of Shiloh United Holy Church in Asbury Park, urged the people in attendance to live a happy and joyous life, and to come together regardless of race and ethnicity, rich or poor.
"If you cut me and I cut you, our blood is still red, which means that we are still brothers and sisters," White said.
Shortly after 9 p.m., as the candles burned down to the end, the Dallas city flag was raised and then lowered. Ron Brooks belted a version of God Bless America before hundreds of people quietly made their way back to their cars.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.