Two fallen Brookhaven officers, James White and Zach Moak, were honored for their sacrifice by President Donald Trump Wednesday.

It was no doubt a humbling and bitter-sweet experience for their families.

“These brave heroes did not put on the uniform for praise or for glory,” Trump said. “They wore the badge because it was their duty, their calling, their noble purpose to serve, protect like nobody has ever done it before. They embodied our highest ideals and greatest aspirations. They were the very best of us. There was nobody close.”

His remarks were part of the annual National Peace Offers’ Memorial Service in Washington, D.C. He began by talking about White and Moak.

“Last September, James and Zach responded to a report of shots fired at a home,” Trump said. “When they arrived, they bravely engaged the shooters. It was a bad two minutes. It was violent and it was vicious. Within seconds, the killer shot James. At that moment, Zach could have raced to safety; instead, he raced to the side of his friend. As Zach tried to save his teammate, he too was shot and killed, giving his life for his brother in blue.

“Today we remember the words James once told his mom.  He said, ‘Mama, if I ever die in the line of duty, know that I died doing what I truly loved.’”

It is not often that Lincoln Countians hear their names mentioned by the president. Trump’s tribute to White and Moak was special, not just for their families, but for everyone who knew the two.

Trump is right about them. They embodied our highest ideals. They were the very best of us.  They gave their all to serve and protect. We are grateful to Trump and to those involved in bringing White’s and Moak’s story to his attention.