The Department of Public Safety honored Texas' most recent fallen officers Tuesday in Austin.

The names of the 25 killed in 2007 and 2008 were read aloud at a ceremony.

"The men and women of the DPS, the men and women of local law enforcement all around the state are a thin line that protects this society every day," said Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

Texas led the nation in law enforcement deaths with 22 in 2007 -- five were from Central Texas.

The DPS lost one man in 2007 and another in April 2008.

Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes died in a traffic crash in 2007 near Marshall and Highway Patrol Trooper James Scott Burns was shot to death on April 29th near Lake O' The Pines in East Texas.

"There's no words that I can say to the Holmes family, Stephanie Holmes, Michaela Burns that will ease any of the pain except -- I'm sorry," said an emotional Dewhurst.

Tuesday, Burns' widow stood alongside the sister of the first DPS patrolman killed in the line of duty, which was in 1932.

The crowd fought back tears -- many of them like Randy Howry had lost a loved one.

"In 1972 -- March of ’72 - my father was killed," said Howry.

Billy Dan Howry had pulled over a speeder in Georgetown when another vehicle struck and killed him.

Randy Howry was 12 years old

"Even though it's been 36 years since we lost our father -- my mother lost her husband -- it's still a very emotional time," said Randy Howry.

"Truly these men and women keep us safe, and I know it's tough - and my heart goes out to each and every one of you," said Dewhurst.

Below is a list of the officers killed from DPS.

Texas peace officers killed feloniously in 2008:

-- Corporal Harry Thielepape, Harris County Constable’s Office-Pct. 6, injured during a felony arrest on Jan. 26, died Feb. 20.

-- Trooper James Scott Burns, Texas Dept. of Public Safety-Jefferson, shot and killed on April 29 during a traffic stop.

Texas peace officers who died while performing their duties in 2008:

-- Deputy Constable David Joubert, Harris Co. Constable’s Office-Pct. 7, died in a traffic crash Jan. 13;

-- Officer Matthew B. Thebeau, Corpus Christi PD, died in a traffic crash Jan. 20;

-- Senior Corporal Victor Lozada-Tirado, Dallas PD, died in a traffic crash Feb. 22.

Texas peace officers killed feloniously in 2007:

-- Game Warden Justin Hurst, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.-Wharton County, was shot and killed March 17 while attempting to apprehend an illegal hunting suspect;

-- Senior Corporal Mark Timothy Nix, Dallas PD, shot and killed on March 23 while attempting to apprehend a murder suspect;

-- Deputy Sheriff Tony Price Ogburn, Henderson Co SO, shot and killed on May 17 while attempting to break up a domestic disturbance;

-- Deputy Sheriff Paul Steven Habelt, Henderson Co SO, shot and killed on May 17 while attempting to break up a domestic disturbance;

-- Deputy Sheriff Michael Page, Bowie Co SO, killed on June 30 while attempting to apprehend hit and run suspect;

-- Corporal Arlie Jones, Odessa PD, shot and killed Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance;

-- Corporal John “Scott” Gardner, Odessa PD, shot and killed Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance;

-- Corporal Abel Marquez, Odessa PD, shot Sept. 8 while responding to a domestic disturbance, died on Sept. 12;

-- Detective Mario Moreno, San Antonio PD, killed Sept. 21 while attempting to serve arrest warrant.

Texas peace officers who died while performing their duties in 2007:

-- Deputy Sheriff Rahamy Mitchell, Fannin Co SO, killed Jan. 7 in a traffic crash;

-- Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes, Texas Dept. of Public Safety-Gilmer, killed March 14 in traffic crash;

-- Officer Andrew Esparza, Irving PD, killed April 13 in a traffic crash;

-- Officer Lisa Beaulieu, Beaumont PD, killed April 27 in a traffic crash;

-- Game Warden Teyran (Ty) Patterson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.-Johnson County, drowned May 30 while trying to save a drowning victim;

-- Officer Jeff McCoy, Abilene PD, died June 5 in a traffic crash;

-- Officer Dayle Weston (Wes) Hardy, Plano PD, died July 7 in a traffic crash;

-- Officer David Camden, Temple PD, died Sept. 14 in a traffic crash;

-- Deputy Constable Jason Norling, Harris Co Constable’s Office-Pct. 5, died Oct. 1 when he was struck by a vehicle;

-- Investigator Dale Clint Sherrill, Marion Co SO, injured Oct. 17 in a traffic crash and died on Oct. 19;

-- Officer James Saavedra, Port of Corpus Christi PD, died Dec. 19 in an accidental shooting.