LAPD honors fallen officers with "Purple Heart" awards

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Eighty-two police officers were honored Thursday at a ceremony for acts of bravery dating back to 1921.

LAPD spokesperson Sara Faden says the historic event has been years in the making.

"It was our first Purple Heart awards ceremony, and the Purple Heart medal has been a concept that our department has thought about for many, many years," she says. "The fact that it came to fruition today was very special to us."

Faden says the officers made untimely sacrifices that resulted in trauma, injury and untimely death.

"Gunfire, ambush, fires," she said. "All kinds of dangers that our police officers face day in and day out."

Hundreds attended the Purple Heart award ceremony at LA Live. Faden says the awards may become an annual event.