[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3446-H3447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2000
                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Moore 
of Utah was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority 
leader.)


                             General Leave

  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be joined by my 
colleagues for this Police Week Special Order.
  Law enforcement across this country is putting their lives on the 
line every day to protect our communities, and 1 week per year honoring 
them will never be enough. I want to respect the time of our colleagues 
so I will turn the time over to them before I give my remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. 
Biggs).
  Mrs. BIGGS of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, during National Police 
Week, we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on 
the badge each day, knowing the risks that come with serving others.
  Today, I rise to remember Greenwood Police Officer Don ``DJ'' Keller 
who passed away earlier this week while faithfully serving his 
community.
  Officer Keller was only 31 years old. He was a fellow National 
Guardsman, a husband, and a father. He represented the very best of law 
enforcement.
  The Greenwood community, the Third District, and the entire State of 
South Carolina mourn his loss. We also lift up his family, his fellow 
officers, and all who knew and loved him.
  Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:9, ``Blessed are the peacemakers, for 
they shall be called the children of God.''
  Officer Keller lived as a peacemaker. His service, sacrifice, and 
example will not be forgotten. May God bless Officer Keller, his 
family, and every law enforcement officer serving our communities.
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from South 
Carolina for her great message, and I appreciate her attending this 
Special Order.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack).
  Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the 
great State of Utah for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, this week, during National Police Week, we honor the 
brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every 
single day and run toward danger while others are running away.
  These officers respond to violent crimes, overdoses, domestic 
disputes, natural disasters, and unimaginable tragedies. They carry 
burdens that most Americans will never fully understand. As the wife of 
a first responder, I have seen firsthand the mental and emotional toll, 
as well as the physical toll, that this job can take on not just the 
individual wearing the uniform but all their families, as well. The 
stress, the trauma, and the weight of responsibility do not disappear 
when a shift ends.
  Too often, when our first responders need help themselves, the system 
is not prepared to answer their call. That is why I have introduced the 
Answering the Call Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen the 988 
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and ensure it effectively serves first 
responders. That is because I can tell you right now, Mr. Speaker, it 
doesn't.
  Our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs corrections 
officers, and public safety telecommunicators face disproportionately 
high rates of depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide because of 
the traumatic situations they encounter on the job. Yet many do not 
seek help because of the stigma or concerns about confidentiality. In 
fact, over the last 5 years, over 850 law enforcement officers have 
taken their own lives, and we know that number is underreported.
  This bill will take practical steps to address this crisis. It 
promotes targeted outreach to first responders, improves trauma-
informed training for 988 counselors, strengthens accountability and 
establishes a pilot program to improve support services nationwide for 
our LEOs.
  First responders answer the call at our most critical moments. That 
is why this legislation will ensure that when they need help, the 
system is ready to answer theirs.
  To every law enforcement officer serving across Florida's Third 
District, across the Sunshine State, and across this country, I thank 
them for their courage, their sacrifice, and their service.
  May God bless our law enforcement officers and their families who 
stand beside them every single day.

  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida 
for her inspiring message. It is so personal as well, and I appreciate 
her willingness to share.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, National Police Week serves as an 
important reminder of the brave law enforcement officers who put their 
lives on the line every day to protect our communities.
  During this week, we honor the officers who answer the call knowing 
that they may face dangerous and unpredictable situations in service to 
our community. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication deserve not 
only our gratitude, but our continued support.
  This week, two Wisconsin officers are being honored during National 
Police Week and will have their names added to the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial.
  The first is Racine County Deputy Joshua LaForge. Deputy LaForge knew 
from an early age that he wanted to serve others through law 
enforcement. That commitment guided his life and career.
  He served both with the Racine Police Department for 18 years and 
then joined the Racine County Sheriff's Department. Throughout his 
career, he took on many responsibilities within

[[Page H3447]]

the department, participated in charitable efforts throughout the 
community, and dedicated himself to helping those around him.
  Tragically, Deputy LaForge passed away on July 4, 2023.
  The second is Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder. Officer Corder 
served with the Milwaukee Police Department for more than 6 years. On 
June 26, 2025, Officer Corder and his partner responded to a domestic 
violence call involving an armed suspect. While en route, the call was 
upgraded to shots fired. When they arrived on the scene, Officer Corder 
and his partner were ambushed by a suspect hiding in nearby bushes. 
Officer Corder later succumbed to his injuries on June 29, 2025.
  Their service and sacrifice serve as a powerful reminder of the risks 
law enforcement officers face every day and of the countless families 
and communities forever changed by their loss.
  As we remember those who make the ultimate sacrifice, I would also 
like to make specific mention from Wisconsin's Sixth District, State 
Trooper Trevor Casper. Back home, he is remembered as a shining example 
of service, courage, and selflessness.
  Trevor's dream was to become a Wisconsin State trooper, and in 
December of 2014, he graduated from the State Patrol Academy and was 
stationed in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

                              {time}  2010

  Tragically, just months later, on March 24, 2015, during his first 
solo assignment, Trevor Casper was shot while apprehending a bank 
robbery and murder suspect.
  Though mortally wounded, Trevor returned fire and stopped the 
suspect, protecting innocent lives and preventing further harm to the 
community.
  Just think about that. You have been shot and are in the process of 
dying, but still you return fire, stop the suspect, and save members of 
the community.
  He was just 21 years old--so tragic. Trooper Casper's bravery in the 
face of danger and his commitment to protecting others will never be 
forgotten.
  Trevor is also a reminder that there are countless law enforcement 
officers across this country who quietly make extraordinary sacrifices 
in service of their communities. Many have given their lives in the 
line of duty, and each one deserves our respect, gratitude, and 
remembrance.
  During National Police Week and throughout the year, we must continue 
standing with law enforcement officers and honor the memory of those 
who gave their lives in service.
  I would suggest to those in the Chamber who are hearing our remarks, 
I think one of the things that you can really do that will drive home 
to any individual here what a great job our law enforcement officers 
are doing is to do a drive-along with them. I try to do one of these at 
least once every 2 years. It really brings home the situations that our 
law enforcement officers face, the possibility of harm. Nevertheless, 
again and again and again, they go out, go into unknown circumstances, 
risking huge physical harm to themselves, to apprehend dangerous 
members of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Utah for organizing this 
Special Order.
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Grothman) for his message, and I appreciate him for sharing the 
two incredible, brave individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Schmidt).
  Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the 
brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every day 
and stand between safety and danger.
  Across Kansas and across our Nation, law enforcement officers answer 
the calls most of us hope we will never have to make. They run toward 
danger when others are running away. They work long nights, miss 
holidays, and experience difficult moments that often go unseen or 
unrecognized.
  Their service demands courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering 
commitment to protecting their communities.
  This week, we especially remember those who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in the line of duty. Sadly, last year, we lost four heroes 
from the State of Kansas.
  We honor Officer Scott Heimann of the Hays Police Department in Hays, 
Kansas. Officer Heimann was a devoted public servant who faithfully 
protected his community with professionalism and integrity.
  We remember Officer Hunter Simoncic of the Kansas City, Kansas Police 
Department. Officer Simoncic dedicated his life to serving others, and 
his courage and commitment will not be forgotten.
  We recognize Deputy Brandon Gaede of the Phillips County Sheriff's 
Office. Deputy Gaede answered the call to serve rural Kansans with 
dedication and selflessness, and we remain grateful for his service and 
sacrifice.
  We remember Deputy Elijah Ming of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's 
Office. Deputy Ming's commitment to duty and to protecting others 
reflected the very best of Kansas law enforcement.
  These officers were sons, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and public 
servants. Behind every badge is a human being who chose a life of 
sacrifice. Behind every fallen officer is a family whose sacrifice 
continues long after the headlines have faded.
  During National Police Week, we honor not only those we have lost but 
also every officer who continues to serve. We thank them for their 
courage, their professionalism, and their steadfast commitment to 
keeping our communities safe.
  To the families of our fallen officers, your loved ones will not be 
forgotten. Their legacy lives on in the communities they protected, in 
the officers they served with, and in the grateful hearts of the people 
of Kansas and of our great country.
  May God bless the memory of these fallen heroes and protect all who 
wear the badge, and may He continue to bless the United States of 
America.
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas for 
his heartwarming and thoughtful remarks on a very important week. I 
know that the families of those officers will appreciate the focus, 
attention, and prayers.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their comments. National 
Police Week is about brave, sacrificial people. It is about families. 
It is about heroes, Mr. Speaker, like Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer 
Eric Estrada, whose service and dedication to public safety left a 
lasting impact on northern Utah.
  Sergeant Sorenson and Officer Estrada faithfully served their 
communities for many years before tragically being killed in the line 
of duty. While there are no words to ease the pain of their passing, it 
has been incredible to see the Tremonton, Garland, and greater Utah 
communities rally in support and appreciation for their families and 
our first responders.
  This National Police Week, we are backing the blue and standing up 
for those who risk their lives to protect us.
  I am proud to see Sergeant Sorenson and Officer Estrada's names being 
added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall here in 
D.C. Of course, we wish that were not the case, but it is an honor to 
be able to see them listed among the brave. Their service, like that of 
many others who have died on the job, is simply not forgotten.
  This National Police Week is dedicated to the brave men and women of 
law enforcement who make it so we can leave with peace of mind and so 
we can feel confident that our families are safe.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues who joined me tonight. I 
yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________