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LAPD Memorial Honors Slain Officers, Afghanistan Vets

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The names of hundreds of fallen Los Angeles police officers killed in the line of duty — including two officers slain while serving overseas in the military — were remembered in a somber ceremony on Thursday.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck presided over the memorial service held outside the police headquarters building in downtown Los Angeles.

KNX 1070's John Brooks reports LAPD officer Josh Cullins a Marine killed on active military duty in Afghanistan is among the latest names added to the memorial wall.

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Cullins' father James choked back tears as he said his son taught him very much.

"Josh was quite a humble, funny, well-loved guy, and as a father, I couldn't be any prouder," Cullins said.

Cullins, along with fellow officer and war veteran R.J. Cottle, were honored in a special tribute that also included the traditional "roll call of fallen heroes," a 21-rifle volley, a "missing man" formation helicopter fly-over, bagpipers playing Amazing Grace, and a bugler playing Taps.

Beck said with 204 officers killed in the line of duty, it's up to the living to keep their memories alive.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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