New recruits to the Savannah Chatham County Metropolitan Police department will honor officers killed in the line of duty before being officially welcomed to the force.

Authorities say 26 recruits will participate in the 1.5-mile "Run to Remember" Jan. 18 to remember 51 officers who have died in Chatham County. The Rev. Charles Robeson, a police chaplain, is scheduled to lead a memorial service after the run.

Following the run and memorial, the recruits will graduate from patrol school and be welcomed as members of the Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department.

Officials say the department began holding the Run to Remember in 2010.

Tags: Savannah, police, Chatham County, police officer deaths