The annual Saskatchewan Police and Peace Officers Memorial will look a little different this year due to COVID-19.

Sunday’s event will not be open to the public and will be held virtually instead.

Sgt. Casey Ward, the President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers says he’s disappointed the event won’t have a crowd but understands it’s just not possible right now.

“This is a big weekend where we really like to honour our fallen members for the ultimate sacrifice they made, so not being able to have a large ceremony, we usually get quite a few members of the public out for this ceremony out at the Legislative Building, it’s kind of a beautiful backdrop and a beautiful day,” said Ward. “It is sad.”

One normal thing that will be happening for the memorial is the “Ride to Remember”, which Ward says is nice because it’ll give members a chance to be there in person while socially distancing on their bikes.

“That is nice because we have members across the province, members from all emergency services, and even retired members that come out to the Ride to Remember,” said Ward.

While no police officers have died in the line of duty this year in Saskatchewan, Ward says the memorial serves as a reminder of just how fast things can go wrong.

“Our members show up to work every day, put on their uniform or go out in plain clothes, and they don’t always know if they’re going to come home,” said Ward. “They go out and do the best they can and we’re there to support each other and make sure our community is safer, but there are members throughout the province that have made that ultimate sacrifice. This day and age you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The names of 63 fallen members are on the memorial.