[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4097-S4098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, 10 Louisiana law enforcement officers 
were killed in the line of duty this past year, and they are being 
recognized in Washington this week as part of National Police Week. I 
welcome their families and colleagues to the Nation's Capital. These 
officers lost their lives while serving their communities and are being 
honored for their courage and the ultimate sacrifice they made to serve 
and protect the citizens of Louisiana.
  National Police Week is collaborative effort to honor the service and 
sacrifice of America's law enforcement community and includes the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, NLEOMF, the Fraternal 
Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, FOP/FOA, and the 
Concerns of Police Survivors, COPS.
  Officers from around the country and the families of fallen officers 
travel to Washington, DC, for events including the Peace Officers 
Memorial Day Service at the U.S. Capitol and the National Police 
Survivor's Conference. In addition, the names of our 10 Louisiana 
heroes will be engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial along with 348 other names from around the country. The names 
will also be read at a candlelight vigil at the memorial this week.
  The following brave police officers and Sheriff's deputies gave their 
lives

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to protect our Louisiana communities: Patrolman Brian Keith Coleman, 
Alexandria Police Department; Detective Thelonious Anthony Dukes, Sr., 
New Orleans Police Department; Sergeant R. Alan Inzer, Calcasieu Parish 
Sheriff's Office; Deputy Hilery Alexander Mayo, Jr., St. Tammany Parish 
Sheriff's Office; Deputy Joshua E. Norris, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's 
Office; Sergeant Linden Albert Raimer, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's 
Office; Chief David Gerald Richard, Port Barre Police Department; 
Sergeant John Russell Smith, Bastrop Police Department; Detective 
Charles Douglas Wilson, Jr., Bastrop Police Department; and Deputy 
Yvonne D. Pettit, Washington Parish Sheriff's Office.
  The sacrifices of our heroic law enforcement officers remind us that 
it is Congress's responsibility to ensure the Federal Government looks 
after our disabled officers and firefighters, as well as the families 
of our fallen and disabled first responders. They put themselves in 
harm's way each day so that the rest of us may live safely and 
peacefully in a free society. There is no group more deserving of our 
full support, and the truth is, our Federal Government has not done 
enough to care for and honor these officers, their families, and their 
sacrifice.
  National Police Week provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our 
law enforcement officers' contributions to building safe and productive 
communities in Louisiana and across the country. I ask the Senate to 
join me in honoring these 10 Louisiana fallen officers, their families, 
and their colleagues across the country for their unwavering service 
and dedication to keeping us safe.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I wish today to commemorate the hard 
work and sacrifices made daily by law enforcement officers all across 
our great land. Many officers have lost their lives in the line of duty 
so that our families and communities may remain safe. We must never 
forget those who have given their lives to protect us all.
  In 1962 President John F. Kennedy first declared the annual 
celebration of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week in 
``recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and 
day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our 
laws.''
  Since then, many men and women have paid the ultimate price for our 
security, including many brave New Mexicans. This year, two New Mexico 
police officers will be honored and remembered by having their names 
added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, 
DC.
  The first, Patrolman Germaine F. Casey of Albuquerque, was tragically 
killed in a motorcycle accident while he was a part of the police 
escort for President George W. Bush's trip to Albuquerque, NM, on 
August 27, 2007. Patrolman Casey was an officer with the Rio Rancho 
Police Department and had previously served as an officer with the 
University of New Mexico Police for 2 years.
  Also being honored this week is Officer Christopher M. Mirabal of 
Alamogordo, who passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a 
motor vehicle accident while on duty as a New Mexico State police 
officer on July 13, 2007. Officer Mirabal was a lifelong resident of 
Alamogordo and like Patrolman Casey, worked to protect New Mexicans, 
including the families they left behind.
  This week we remember the dedication of Patrolman Casey and Officer 
Mirabal and all of our fallen police men and women who protect and 
serve our communities, and the tragic price they paid for that 
devotion. We must also remember the families of all fallen officers and 
the sacrifices they have incurred because of a deep-seated commitment 
to duty and public service. All of us from New Mexico owe a debt of 
gratitude to each and every officer who has lost their life in the line 
of duty. To those who continue to serve, we are grateful. You have my 
utmost admiration.

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