Hundreds of police officers from across the Greater Toronto Area gathered at Queen's Park Wednesday night for a vigil to remember and show respect to their U.S. colleagues gunned down in recent events across the border.

Eight American officers were killed in shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge and Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders says that those incidents and the divisive conversations around them are taking a toll on his officers.

Hundreds of GTA police officers gathered to remember their colleagues in blue south of the border who were recently killed in the line of duty. (CBC) "Morale is low," Saunders told the crowd of officers. "From what I've seen and what I've heard we're consistently under attack, we're consistently under scrutiny for every step and every action."

Mayor John Tory also attended the vigil, condemning the violent acts in the U.S. and taking the opportunity to address Toronto's own troubles between some citizens and officers.

"We must not let this community be divided," said Tory. "We must use tragedies like this to re-dedicate ourselves to make sure Toronto is the beacon of hope to the world that is has been and must continue to be."

The vigil was held in front of the police memorial wall at Queen's Park, which is covered with the names of more than 200 Ontario officers who have died in the line of duty.

BLM vigil for those shot and killed by police

Black Lives Matter Toronto also held a vigil last night in memoriam of black lives that they say have been lost as a result of "police violence."