PHOTOS: Officer Jermaine Gibson Remembered

With his family sitting closely together, Cathedral City Officer Jermaine Gibson's name was added to the names of Riverside County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The Beaumont resident and new father's name was read with 58 others at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station on a chilly Tuesday night during the Blue Light Ceremony, an annual remembrance of those killed in the line of duty.

A crowd of nearly 200 officers, local officials and family members of fallen officers lit up blue fluorescent lights toward the end of the ceremony. The blue light stands for peace.

Gibson's young son, Jermaine Gibson Jr., sat in his grandfather and grandmother's laps during the hour-long ceremony. during a pursuit that started in Cathedral City and ended in Palm Springs.

"That's a very close knit family," Cathedral City Police Chief Kevin Connor said following the ceremony. "It's hard for the family to move on. Jermaine Jr. didn't know his father very well."

Connor said the department still feels the loss of Gibson.

"He's an honorable man who gave his life for our community," Connor said, adding that Gibson's name will be added to the National Memorial Wall for fallen officers in Washington, D.C. this May.

Sheriff Stan Sniff, who spoke during the ceremony, said the event comes at a time when families most feel the loss of their loved one.

"There are no more birthdays, no more festive holidays for them," Sniff said.

Also in attendance were District Attorney Paul Zellerbach, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, Palm Desert Mayor Jean Benson, Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, and a representative from Rep. Mary Bono Mack's office.

There is another ceremony planned for Dec. 12 in Riverside.

Read more about Gibson's tragic death .