LONDON — Six Ohio officers killed in the line of duty last year were memorialized Thursday in a state ceremony. Highlighted among them was Warren County Sheriff Sgt. Brian Dulle.

Dulle, 36, of Turtlecreek Twp., died May 10, 2011, when he was struck with a stolen car driven by Marcus Anthony Israel of Middletown.

Dulle was deploying tire-deflation devices near the intersection of U.S. 42 and Utica Road in Lebanon when he was struck by the car and killed.

It was the first time a sheriff’s deputy had been killed in the line of duty in Warren County and sent shock waves throughout the community.

Officers from around the state attended the 25th annual Ohio Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in London. They commemorated those who’ve fallen in a procession.

Dulle left behind a wife and three children younger than 10, including a daughter who was recovering from cancer.

Israel was convicted in October of murder and several other felonies and sentenced to 25½ years in prison.

Dulle’s father, Ed Dulle, became choked up when asked about the Thursday ceremony.

“It’s bittersweet. I was dreading the exits to get here. The dread, it’s not gone away at all. It’s still so fresh,” Ed Dulle said.

He said he hoped others remembered that his son, a Edgewood High School graduate, was a military veteran and loved his job.

“He was about serving. Helping others. He made the ultimate sacrifice, you know, trying to get that guy stopped that night before he killed someone,” Ed Dulle said.

He said seeing families of just a few of the more than 700 officers who have died in the line of duty since 1823 was a “dramatic reminder of the danger officers face.”

Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims called the day of Dulle’s death one of the worst of his professional career.

“It’s one of those calls you never ever want to get in your career...” Sims said. “Deep down in this line of work, you know there are those risks, but it’s your worst nightmare that you get that call.”

Sims bore a flag during the recessional with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office color guard.

“He was an exceptional officer. We would want people to remember what he stood for and also remember how quick things are taken away from you and not to take things for granted,” Sims said.

To date, no Ohio law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2012.