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Slain North Carolina prison workers honored at national police memorial

Thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., Sunday night to honor the lives of law enforcement killed in the line of duty.

WASHINGTON (WVEC) -- Thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., Sunday night to honor the lives of law enforcement killed in the line of duty.

This year's “Police Week” candlelight vigil hits close to home -- the families of those killed in the attempted prison break in Pasquotank came to remember their loved ones.

Only 13News Now was with them as they honored Corrections Officers Justin Smith and Wendy Shannon, Correction Enterprises Sewing Plant Manager Veronica Darden and maintenance mechanic Geoffrey Howe.

For the thousands grieving, the vigil is a reminder of the sacrifice that comes with service.

Mother's Day for Melanie Mathewson has always been a happy day. Her son Justin Smith, who was an officer at Pasquotank prison, was her best friend.

“I would get a lot of hugs and kisses,” she said. “He was a good son, a good friend.”

This year, there was no celebration. The only smiles come from pictures of the past; the only solace from those who share her grief.

“I'm with people who have gone through pretty much what I've gone through,” Melanie said.

SEE ALSO: Slain prison employee's daughter calls for change

Those who know the pain that comes with seeing a fallen officer's name etched in stone gathered at the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial.

“He said ‘feels like we're at a cemetery,’” Melanie said. “I said 'yeah we are.'”

On the memorial wall, Officer Justin Smith is forever a hero.

“To see his name, to take a piece of paper with a pencil and run his name, it was just hard,” Melanie said.

It brings her back to that day in October when she called the prison after hearing about the escape attempt. She said she got passed from person to person and finally someone returned her call.

“A chaplain gets on the phone and says 'I'm sorry to tell you this but your son is dead,' just like that,” she remembered.

She's still angry at the inmates who killed her son and three others.

“They come to you they tell you they're sorry,” she said. “'I'm sorry' can only last but so long.”

This is Melanie's first Mother's Day without her firstborn son. She wants those at home to know Justin's death was preventable, and someone needs to be held accountable.

“I want justice,” she added. “I want justice for the four people that died. I want justice for the workers that are still there. I just want things to change.”

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