The 16th annual Blue Mass was held in Newark Friday morning to honor all those in law enforcement, especially those who lost their lives during the last year.

?This Blue Mass is probably one of the most important things we do every single year,? says New Jersey State Police Maj. Al Della Fave.

During the Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Ridge Street, family, friends and colleagues remembered five police officers who lost their lives while serving their departments, serving their communities or serving their country. Gov. Jon Corzine was also in attendance.

Those honored were Kenneth Santucci, of the Belleville Police Department, Thomas Raji, of the Perth Amboy Police Department, Christopher Zerby, of the North Brunswick Police Department and Carmen De Gregorio, of the Millville Police Department. Also honored was Dwayne Kelley, of the New Jersey State Police, who died in Iraq.

Those in attendance say the Mass is a special way to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.