fallen officer memorial dedication.

A memorial was dedicated to two Rapid City police officers killed in the line of duty in August.

i. From left, Jim and Kathy McCandless, parents of fallen Officer J. Ryan McCandless, and Kristi Johnson, fiance of fallen Officer J. Ryan McCandless, read the inscription on the back of the Fallen Officer Memorial at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Rapid City.

ii. Members of the community, including Rapid City Police officer Eric Dwyer, center, take pictures of the Fallen Officer Memorial.

iii. Members of the community read the inscription on the Fallen Officer Memorial.

iv. Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender places his hand over a photograph of fallen Officer J. Ryan McCandless. "Its a great day of healing," Pastor Dale Bartscher, who led a group prayer during the dedication, said. "They will never get over this. Everyday is a new day. They are diligent in their tasks and they carry on."

these images are © 2011 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

the community comes together.

Its been busy out here in the Black Hills. Earlier this month, three Rapid City Police Officers were shot and two died in the line of duty. This marked the first time Rapid City Police Officers died in the line of duty since 1985.

these images are © 2011 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.