HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Hattiesburg honored fallen Officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate, who died 10 years ago.

On Friday, city officials, police officers and family members came together to honor Deen and Tate.

“They loved their job. Fun, hardworking guys. They loved the community, and they loved the city that they served,” said former Hattiesburg Police Chief Peggy Sealy.

Deen and Tate died on May 9, 2015, during a traffic stop near 4th and Ryan Street.

For their families, the pain still lingers. While they take pride in the officers’ heroism, living without them hasn’t been easy.

“This is on our mind every day. Our lives, the entire Deen and Tate family, our lives are changed forever. It will never be the same. My weekends, Mother’s Day, it’ll never be the same,” said Youlander Johnson, the mother of Tate.

During Friday’s ceremony, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker joined current and former members of the police department to honor the fallen officers during a wreath-laying ceremony.

 “That son of mine, he was a loving person. I mean, he was a joy to raise from the day he was born till he left the house. And he loved people. He liked helping people. And he was just he was everybody’s friend,” said Dan Deen, the father of Officer Deen.

Two local students, including Deen’s son, were awarded the Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate Memorial Scholarship.