TheIndyChannel.com - Indianapolis, Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS, 2:21 p.m. EST June 6, 2001-- The state of Indiana dedicated a memorial Wednesday morning for 600 police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.

The dedication came one day after a memorial service was held at the statehouse to remember the firefighters and police officers. Gov. Frank O'Bannon dedicated the monument Wednesday morning before a packed crowd in the statehouse; the ceremony was to have occurred outdoors, but it was moved inside because of rain.

On Tuesday, widows and members of officers' families attended the service, including Emily Beal, the widow of state trooper Jason Beal, who died last year.

"I really liked to see everybody come out and honor the fallen officers. It makes me realize that Jason didn't die for no reason," Beal said.

"It helps because time passes on, people forget and it helps to be able to tell your story again and I get to tell who Andrew is and I get to explain to somebody and reintroduce him to somebody else," state trooper widow Cindy Wizenread said.

The names of the officers and firefighters are now etched on the Indiana memorial.

"It will pay tribute to all of those who gave their lives so that others may live," Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan said during the memorial service.

Some people have said that the memorial also will help others to remember survivors.