[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING NORTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT ON NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I rise during Police Week to honor the
brave men and women in North Carolina and across the Nation who serve
in law enforcement. Police Week is a solemn and humbling experience, as
thousands of officers and their families come to our Nation's Capital
and pay tribute to their fellow officers who made the ultimate
sacrifice to protect their communities.
Every name that is added to the memorial wall is a monument to that
officer's heroism and legacy of courage, selflessness, and ultimate
sacrifice in the line of duty. This kind of heroism and sacrifice is
one far too familiar for North Carolinians who have heard stories of
brave officers giving their last full measure of devotion while
protecting our State. Today, I wish to list and honor five of these
heroes that North Carolina has lost since last year's Police Week in
May 2025.
Often, we hear of the dangers law enforcement faces in their
profession, but rarely do civilians truly grasp the real risks borne by
officers which exist even during ``routine'' parts of the job, even
something as normal as transporting an inmate to a hospital to receive
medical care can turn deadly.
Officer Flattes, a detention officer for the Cherokee County
Sheriff's Office in western North Carolina, was fatally shot when an
inmate who was being transported for medical care took a detention
officer's firearm during a scuffle. Officer Flattes was 56 years old
and was shot by the inmate he was seeking to help. This story and
others like it are sobering reminders of the true risks facing law
enforcement everywhere. Officer Flattes is survived by his wife, who
also served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, as well as his 6
children and 15 grandchildren. To them and to Officer Flattes, I rise
to say thank you for their sacrifice and his heroism.
We must also remember WakeMed Campus Police Officer Roger Smith, who
shares a story far too similar to Officer Flattes. Officer Smith was
working in the WakeMed emergency department when a struggle ensued with
an armed individual that left Officer Smith shot and wounded. Despite
the best efforts of doctors, Officer Smith succumbed to his wounds
later that morning. Officer Smith is survived by his two daughters,
mother, brother, granddaughter, and long-time partner. Officer Smith
previously served 16 years as a Knightdale police officer and as a
volunteer firefighter, making his loss one felt throughout his
community.
The next person to honor is North Carolina Master Trooper Stien
Davis, Jr. Trooper Davis was killed in a single-car crash on NC Highway
130 just after midnight when he lost control of his car before riding
off of the road and flipping his vehicle upside down in a swamp. What
is especially tragic about this loss is who Trooper Davis leaves
behind; his young son, mother, siblings, and fiancee, all of whom have
felt and shared a loss that escapes words. This tragic accident
resulted in the death of a young trooper who loved his family, his
community, and his career in law enforcement.
Sadly, there is another master trooper that I rise to honor today,
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry. Trooper Perry was killed when his
patrol car was struck in a head-on collision by someone driving the
wrong way at 3 in the morning. Trooper Perry was 30 years old and had
served the State of North Carolina for almost 7 years when he was
killed. He is survived by his then 9-month-old daughter. Because of one
person's bad choice, the State of North Carolina has lost one of its
finest sons.
Finally, I rise to honor Forsyth County Sheriff's Deputy Kaleb
Mitchell. Deputy Mitchell, like the other heroes mentioned before, was
killed during what was a routine moment of his day. Deputy Mitchell was
killed when he was struck by a driver going over 100 miles per hour in
a 55-mph zone, who then crossed a dividing line and hit Deputy
Mitchell. Deputy Mitchell was later pronounced dead after being taken
to a hospital immediately after the collision. He is survived by his
expectant wife, his 2-year-old child, his parents, and his siblings.
One of his brothers also serves with the Forsyth County Sheriff's
Office. There are no words to fully express the heartbreak and loss
these families have suffered, feelings that are only sharpened by the
ordinary nature of what was happening when each officer died.
There is simply no speech, no award, no memorial or honor that we can
bestow upon these officers and families that can lessen their sacrifice
or ease their pain, but what we must do no matter what is remain
thankful for their sacrifice and honor the legacies of these men who
died protecting our State and its people.
In my remaining time in the Senate, I will continue to push for the
passage of the Protect and Serve Act, legislation that I introduced
that makes it a Federal crime to intentionally harm, or attempt to
harm, a law enforcement officer. It also gives prosecutors new tools to
penalize criminals who target law enforcement.
Officers go to work every day prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice
for their communities, and they need our support now more than ever.
The Protect and Serve Act is supported by law enforcement groups across
the Nation, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the National
Association of Police Organizations, the Police Officers Defense
Coalition, the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the National
Sheriffs Association, and the Major County Sheriffs Association.
To every officer serving today: Thank you for your unwavering
courage; you have earned our unending gratitude. To the families of the
fallen: Your loss is shared by a grateful nation. We will never forget
your loved one's service, nor their sacrifice. God bless them. God
bless law enforcement. And may God bless the United States of America.
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