US President Barack Obama (C) stands with Vice-President Joe Biden (L) and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (R) to honor the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations Top Cops award winners during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, May 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Saturday honored the nation's top police officers for their sacrifice at a ceremony held at the White House.

Joined by Vice-President Joe Biden, Obama commended 34 winners of the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations Top Cops Award for their service and courage.

They were "representative of the sacrifices and that quiet courage that exists among law enforcement officers all across the country", Obama said.

"We honor all those who have put their lives on the line in order to protect their fellow citizens -- even if they were complete strangers," he added.