[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2917-S2918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, for over 50 years, our Nation has 
preserved an annual tradition of honoring the brave men and women of 
law enforcement who make the ultimate sacrifice. This act of 
remembrance dates back to President John F. Kennedy's designation of a 
``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' in 1962, which has evolved over the 
years to become National Police Week. Police Week now includes a 
weeklong celebration of our law enforcement officers and recognition 
for their sacrifices.
  Tens of thousands from the law enforcement community have descended 
upon Washington this week, as they gather near the National Law 
Enforcement Memorial to remember their colleagues and their families. 
The memorial was dedicated in 1991 to honor our local, State, and 
Federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The long 
gray walls are curved in a way that makes them appear to go on forever. 
Over 21,000 names are permanently inscribed into the marble walls as a 
reminder of the cost of maintaining a free, safe, and civil society.
  On Wednesday, the 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial 
Service was held right outside on the West Front of the Capitol. During 
this solemn ceremony, the names of 228 brave men and women were read in 
honor of their priceless contribution to their fellow citizens.
  Among those being remembered this week are six from my home State of 
South Carolina. Sergeant Terrence Carraway of the Florence Police 
Department, Detective Micheal Doty of

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the York County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Dale Hallman of the Saluda 
County Sheriff's Office, Deputy James Kirk, Jr., of the Lancaster 
County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Farrah Turner of the Florence County 
Sheriff's Office, and Deputy Jerry Hurd, Jr., of the Richland County 
Sheriff's Office will all be memorialized on those stone walls. Their 
names will be a perpetual reminder to future generations of the high 
cost of keeping South Carolinians safe. We honor them, their families, 
and all of the other brave men and women who died while protecting our 
communities.
  While every officer deserves to have their story heard, I would like 
to call attention to Sergeant Carraway and Deputy Turner. On October 3, 
2018, Florence County law enforcement executed a warrant on an 
individual accused of sexual assault on a child. As they arrived on 
scene, the officers were ambushed by the suspect's father. When the 
officers got out of their vehicles, the father started shooting at 
them. The standoff and the shooting continued for 2 long hours. Despite 
the danger, the officers did not retreat, but continued to fight. After 
all was said and done, a total of seven law enforcement personnel had 
been shot. Sadly, both Sergeant Carraway and Deputy Turner were 
mortally wounded.
  I was fortunate enough to attend Sergeant Carraway's memorial service 
in Florence. It was a beautiful tribute to a life of service. This man 
was a decorated police officer, Air Force Reservist, coach, mentor, 
loving husband, father, and friend. Like many of those we are 
remembering this week, the Terrance Carraway's of the world are the 
foundation of America's goodness.
  This is but one small example of how our law enforcement officers put 
themselves in harm's way for the betterment of the community on a daily 
basis. These officers answered a call to take a suspect off the street, 
and it cost them their lives. It is our duty to honor and remember 
their contribution and their sacrifice.
  Earlier this week I introduced a resolution to commemorate National 
Police Week. Included are the names of 159 brave men and women who 
answered the call of duty, but were sadly taken from us in 2018. This 
resolution has unanimous, bipartisan support and honors those who have 
given their lives in fulfilling this noble calling. I want to thank my 
99 Senate colleagues who signed on as cosponsors of this measure.
  In trying to grasp the essence of National Police Week, I think 
President George H. W. Bush summed it up best. During the 
groundbreaking ceremony for the National Law Enforcement Memorial in 
1989, President Bush said, ``The story to be 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.'' I am proud to echo his words today and, along with my 
colleagues, ensure the story of our heroes is told. I encourage all 
Americans to take a moment this week to reflect on how law enforcement 
positively affects their own community. These officers show up every 
day on behalf of their fellow citizens to serve and protect the 
American dream that President Bush spoke of nearly 30 years ago. Join 
me in remembering the fallen, and let us ensure their sacrifice is 
never forgotten.

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