[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FELLED BY GUN VIOLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sadness and a heavy 
heart that I rise today to pay tribute to the individuals in law 
enforcement who have fallen in the line of duty while serving and 
protecting their communities.
  It is important to acknowledge that no one is immune from gun 
violence, including our law enforcement officers stepping in the line 
of danger to protect us.
  While overall rates of officers killed by gun violence have declined 
over the years, we continue to see and hear about horrific cases of 
officers falling victim to gun violence.
  Since 2005, shooting-related deaths account for approximately 37 
percent of officer fatalities in the line of duty.
  In the past five years, 259 police officers have died by gunfire 
across the nation.
  Thirteen of those deaths were accidental.
  Sadly, Texas had the highest number of fatalities, losing 12 officers 
in 2015.
  This year, we have already lost nine officers to senseless gun 
violence across the nation in Utah, Oregon, Colorado, North Dakota, 
Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi and two in Maryland.
  Five of these shootings occurred in just three days in February.
  The recent incident that occurred on February 10, 2016, in Harford 
County, Maryland, accounting for two of five officers killed in less 
than a week is particularly alarming and egregious.
  Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon of the 
Harford County Sheriff Department were killed upon approaching a 
troubled and wanted man in a local restaurant.
  They were the first Harford County Sheriff's deputies to be shot and 
killed in the line of duty since 1899.
  The suspect, who legally purchased the weapon used in shooting these 
officers, had a history of domestic violence including stalking and a 
suspected shooting of his estranged wife, substance abuse, and a 
criminal record including assault on an officer.
  Awarded Medals of Honor, Deputy Dailey and Deputy Logsdon paid the 
ultimate sacrifice for responding to a call of need, and encountering 
an individual who should have never been in legal possession of a 
firearm.
  Mr. Speaker, this tragic event highlights the desperate need for 
mental health and common sense gun reform in this country.
  We do not need any more first tragedies for communities and law 
enforcement agencies, and we do not need to repeat history as this year 
sets a shocking pace for increased officer killings by gunfire.
  There is no place in a civilized society for such senseless and 
preventable acts of violence in this country.
  As Members of Congress we have a solemn obligation to pass 
legislation that improves the safety and respect between every law 
enforcement officer and the communities they serve to protect.
  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of the 
fallen police officers in this nation.

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