AUGUSTA (AP) – Saying police work is never easy, Gov. John Baldacci has paid tribute to Maine law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The governor was the principal speaker Thursday at the annual ceremony at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Augusta.

Baldacci said police take many risks and seldom receive thanks. He said the dedication and devotion to duty shown by the 82 officers whose names are etched on the memorial has helped to make Maine a better and safer place.

The agency with the most names on the memorial is the Maine Warden Service, with 14. That’s followed by Maine State Police, which has 10. No new names were added this year.

AP-ES-05-14-09 1430EDT