NEW YORK - The New York City Police Department on Friday honored more than two dozen members of their ranks who have died in the line of duty.

Members of the department were joined by family and friends at the somber ceremony at 1 Police Plaza.

The names of 27 officers were added to the Hall of Heroes.

Of those, 24 died from illnesses related to their time spent in Lower Manhattan following the September 11th attacks.

"Twenty-four of these officers who we honor today passed after serving at Ground Zero, responding to one of the most evil acts that any of us have ever known and certainly the worst tragedy in the history of this city," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"Crime is down, Lower Manhattan has been rebuilt but these names are stark reminders to never take anything for granted," said NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill.

Among the names added to the wall Friday was NYPD Detective Steven McDonald. 

He died in 2017 after being taken off life support following a heart attack.

McDonald had been paralyzed from the neck down when he was shot multiple times by a teen while on duty in 1986.

He spent the rest of his life inspiring people with his story of survival and forgiveness.