Suffolk residents Bill and Cindy Price have made a tradition of an unusual and meaningful Christmas decoration.

The Prices have a beautiful white tree in their front yard on Brians Lane with white lights and red-and-white stars listing the names of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty this year.

Unfortunately, they’ve had no shortage of names to put on the tree. Just this year in the United States, 135 human law enforcement officers and more than two dozen K9s (yes, they have stars on the tree, too) have died in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, along with 80 firefighters, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

More than a few of these deaths were set in motion more than 17 years ago, when the law enforcement officers and police officers were exposed to toxic chemicals while working the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It’s horrifying to think how many of our public servants are still suffering and dying from the physical consequences of that awful day.

Price knows what it’s like to be a public servant. He is a captain in the fire department at Naval Station Norfolk and has more than three decades of firefighting experience. He is also making sure his sons, ages 9 and 6, are involved and learning about why these people are memorialized.

Price said visitors frequently come by to view the tree or to find the names of people they know. It is a solemn spot and will remain so until Jan. 1.

“We made the tree for people to remember, reflect and respect,” Price said, noting that family members of these heroes are enduring their first holiday season without their loved one.

Search for “2018 Fallen Heroes Tree” on Facebook for more information.