Loved ones, government officials and Kansas City, Kansas, residents gathered downtown last week for memorial services recognizing local police officers and deputies who have died in the line of duty. Dating back to the late 1800s, at least 20 Kansas City, Kansas Police Department officers have died while on the job. Ten Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies who have died in the line of duty, including deputy Elijah Ming, who was fatally shot on a call in July. Devin Baird, president of The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #40, told attendees at a memorial event outside the Wyandotte County Courthouse that the last two years have been difficult: “To say it has been rough has been an understatement,” he said. Baird said he is often asked about police gear and the heaviest items that officers have to carry. He said he tells people that the items with the greatest weight are the small elastic mourning bands law enforcement wear over their badges to recognize fallen colleagues. Re...