Outside the Mt. Juliet Police Department, emotional words of prayer broke through the silence for a remembrance service Saturday morning.
Thirteen years ago on July 9, two officers were killed in the line of duty: Police Sergeant Jerry Mundy and Wilson County Deputy John Musice.
"Some days it feels like a lifetime, and then there are other days that it feels like yesterday," Mundy's widow, Trish Mundy said.
PHOTOS: Mt. Juliet Service Remembers Fallen Officers
The memories may be more than a decade old, but the emotions were fresh after the recent events in Dallas.
"You're watching the coverage. It takes you right back to that moment," she explained.
Mundy has lived through the pain those families have been feeling.
"I know what it will take those families to get through this, and it will be a lifelong journey," said Mundy.
Across the nation people have been gathering to protest the recent shootings of black men by police officers.
Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick said, "Our lives, black lives shouldn't just matter when a life is taken by a white officer."
He's has seen the tension growing and knows change is a must.
"There's no reason we have to choose race over profession. I'm at the point, all lives matter. Black lives matter, blue lives matter, white lives matter. Hey, we all matter, and we have to have that realization," Hambrick said.
For each Dallas officer killed, a yellow bouquet of roses was placed at the Mt. Juliet memorial as a reminder that when officers go to work each day, it could be their last.
"We'll never forget them and their sacrifice and their service to our community," said Hambrick.
