[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3632-S3633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL PEACE OFFICER'S MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, this week marks National Police Week and 
the

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observance of National Peace Officers Memorial Day. I want to take this 
opportunity to remember the brave men and women of law enforcement who 
have made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in the line of 
duty.
  Since the first recorded police death in 1792, there have been nearly 
19,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. On average, 
one law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in the United States 
every 53 hours. There are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement 
officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure 
ever.
  This year, 116 names will be added to the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial here in Washington, DC. We should remember that there 
are 116 families who grieve the loss of a loved one who gave their life 
to protect their community and keep their fellow citizens safe. The 
sacrifice of those brave officers is the price paid for living in open 
society where freedoms are guaranteed by our Nation's laws. When those 
laws are violated, we look to our protectors who wear the badge to 
answer the call.
  During the dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial in 1991, President George H.W. Bush said, ``Carved on these 
walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both 
democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call 
the American Dream.'' That is what our dedicated law enforcement 
professionals do every day. They protect the American dream.
  The first recorded law enforcement death in my home State of Utah was 
in 1853. That was when Salt Lake County deputy Rodney Badger gave his 
life to try to save a fellow Utahn. Since then, 62 of Utah's finest 
have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service to 
the State of Utah. While there were no police officers killed in 2009, 
there have already been two members of Utah's law enforcement community 
who have been killed in the line of duty this year. Their deeds and 
service will not be forgotten, and my thoughts are with their families. 
We shall always remember that it is not how these officers died that 
made them heroes, it was how they lived. That sentiment is embodied in 
both the Utah and National Law Enforcement Officers Memorials.
  The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, 
when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks 
on America. On that day, at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and 
at Shanksville, PA, Americans witnessed firsthand the front line on the 
war on terror. That was the day when Americans saw courage in the midst 
of chaos from our brave men and women in law enforcement. Our Nation 
also recorded deeds of uncommon valor not only from our military, 
police, and fire personnel, but also from our citizens who sacrificed 
themselves as patriots for their country. It is that spirit that sets 
us apart as Americans. It was that spirit of sacrifice on which our 
Nation was founded. It is our duty to acknowledge and record the 
sacrifice of those who perished trying to save others.
  As the recent event in Times Square has shown us, law enforcement has 
had to bear the responsibility of not only protecting citizens from 
crime but also from the violence of extreme beliefs and terrorism. The 
mission of the law enforcement officer has been transformed over 200 
years to include being a crime fighter, problem-solver, counselor, 
social worker, and now protector of the homeland. As the duties of law 
enforcement continue to expand, we recognize that Federal agents, 
officers, and deputies never shirk the tasks assigned to them. They do 
it willingly and eagerly accept the challenge.
  There are those in Washington who posture, saying ``failure is not an 
option.'' However, within the law enforcement community, failure is not 
in their vocabulary. Their steadfast dedication to serve victims, 
protect the weak, and fight crime motivates them to not accept failure 
even if it requires making the ultimate sacrifice.
  In closing, this week I urge my colleagues to take a moment and think 
about those who walk the beat, patrol the streets, and watch over us. 
The men and women of law enforcement stand tall to protect us, our 
families, and our communities. Law enforcement is often a thankless job 
and is truly, more often than not, more of a calling than a vocation. 
It takes a special person to answer that call and choose to provide the 
blanket of security by enforcing the laws of this great land.

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