Chargers pay tribute to wounded police officers during preseason game

The NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers honored wounded police officers during their preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Los Angeles Chargers honored police officers who have been wounded in the line of duty during their preseason game Saturday.

The Chargers partnered with The Wounded Blue to honor wounded officers from across the country and the officers in attendance had the opportunity to participate in the team’s festivities before kickoff and at halftime of the game against the Dallas Cowboys.

California Highway Patrol officer Juan Reyes and San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputy Marcus Mason fired the "Heroes Cannon" at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to begin the game. Reyes was shot six times during an incident in Studio City and Mason was wounded in a separate shooting.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The Wounded Blue founder Lt. Randy Sutton, former Pennsylvania Highway Patrol officer Bob Bemis and Mason were on the field at halftime and were honored by the team. Bemis is paralyzed, blind in one eye and in a wheelchair after being attacked on duty. Bemis was in charge of the "Thunder siren," a World War II-style siren that blares when the Chargers score a touchdown.

Lt. Randy Sutton, center, the founder of The Wounded Blue, poses with California Highway Patrol officer Juan Reyes, left, and San Bernardino Sheriff's deputy Marcus Mason at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 20, 2022. (The Wounded Blue)

"We are honored by the Chargers’ support of America’s wounded officers," Sutton said in a news release. "More than 120,000 officers* have been attacked in the line of duty overt he last 2 years. Too often, America’s law enforcement are severely wounded and left to fend for themselves, as 85% of departments