It’s the kind of recognition no one wants, even though it comes with the highest honor.

The late William Durr, a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty last year, will have his name etched eternally into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. later this spring. The addition of Durr’s name will be unveiled during the 37th annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 15, to coincide with National Police Week.

“It’s a great honor to participate in that ceremony, but it’s something you wish you never had to do,” said Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing. “You never want to go through this, but at the same time, it’s an honor that William is being recognized for his sacrifice.”

Durr was killed May 27, 2017, while responding to a domestic disturbance at 2871 Lee Drive in Bogue Chitto. He would be one of the first of eight people to die that night in a shooting spree that shocked Lincoln County and the nation.

The accused shooter, Willie Cory Godbolt, pleaded not guilty Monday to a dozen charges against him — including capital murder — in connection to the shootings. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the upcoming trial.

Rushing said the Durr family would attend the ceremony, as would he. He is still working out the details for how many other of his deputies will be able to make the trip — of course everyone wants to go for their fallen officer, but many will have to stay behind and continue enforcing the law.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial consists of a pair of more than 300-foot marble walls bearing the inscribed names of more than 21,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known sacrifice made in 1791. New names of fallen officers are added to the monument each spring.

The memorial was dedicated in October 1991. It sees around 250,000 visitors each year.