FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The holidays are a time of joy and celebration for many.
But for the families who have lost a loved one, it can be different.
"Special occasions, birthdays, holidays, you know it's kind of one of those times that can be extremely difficult," Trooper Robert Purdy with Kentucky State Police said.
So this season, Kentucky State Police wanted the families of the 37 people the agency has lost in the line of duty to know their loved ones will be remembered.
"It's hard to put it all into words. We stand upon the shoulders of giants and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, they're not going to be forgotten," Purdy said.
They released a video that shows Santa Clause in the lobby of Kentucky State Police Headquarters looking at the tree that features the names and pictures of those 37 fallen patrolmen, troopers, detectives and sergeants as the song "Silent Night," plays in the background.
At the end of the video, Santa bows his head and removes his hat as the message, "In this season of giving...we remember those who gave it all," scrolls across the screen.
The video has been shared on Facebook over 3,000 times since it was posted Thursday afternoon. People who have commented have called it "a beautiful tribute," "very touching" and "powerful."
