[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2287-S2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, last month, a Sioux Falls, SD, police 
officer responded to a report of a weapons violation. While pursuing 
one of the suspects, the officer in question was ambushed by the other 
suspect and shot.
  Here in DC last month, law enforcement officers on duty at the White 
House Correspondents' Dinner responded when an individual darted 
through a security checkpoint with the intent of assassinating the 
President and members of his administration. One officer was shot, 
fortunately in the vest.
  The job of a law enforcement officer is an unpredictable one. Of 
course, all of life has uncertainty, but when most of us depart our 
houses every day, we can be pretty certain that we will return that 
evening the same way we left that morning--in safety.
  Police officers, law enforcement officers, don't have that same 
assurance. The job of a police officer is unpredictable. Some days 
might be very quiet--helping a stranded motorist, writing a speeding 
ticket, chatting with kids about police work at a school function--but 
other days--other days--a police officer might respond to a call and be 
confronted with a gunman.
  Law enforcement officers never know what kind of day it will be. The 
Secret Service agent leaving her house in the morning doesn't know 
whether she will have to throw herself between her principal and danger 
before nightfall. The sheriff's deputy serving a warrant doesn't know 
whether it will be a peaceful event or whether he will confront a 
volley of bullets. Yet, every day, men and women across this country 
embrace their jobs in law enforcement. They are born protectors who 
willingly shoulder the risks and dangers to keep them away from the 
rest of us.
  This week, we honor them. This week, we observe National Police Week 
to honor the service and sacrifice of our Nation's law enforcement 
officers. Tomorrow, we observe National Peace Officers Memorial Day--a 
day to remember the men and women of law enforcement who have given 
their lives in the line of duty.
  This year's Police Week resolution notes that in 2025, more than 200 
officers were killed in the line of duty--200 men and women who left 
their homes in the morning and failed to return to it at the end of the 
day.
  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for 
his friends.
  For these men and women, we were all their friends.

[[Page S2288]]

  As we honor the service and sacrifice of our Nation's law enforcement 
officers, we also need to honor their families because their families 
also serve. They say goodbye in the morning to a husband or wife, a mom 
or a dad, son or a daughter, with the knowledge always at the back of 
their minds that their loved one may not come home at the end of the 
day. And every year, for some law enforcement families, that fear comes 
true, and this week and every week, we should remember them.
  This Police Week, I want to say a special thank-you to South Dakota 
law enforcement officers--police officers, sheriff's deputies, State 
troopers, Tribal police, and the Federal officers who serve our State.
  I am grateful for all you do to keep South Dakotans safe.
  I also want to thank the officers of the Capitol Police, who stand 
guard in this building every hour of every day.
  We are able to work in safety because of your efforts.
  Mr. President, we live in a fallen world, and there will always be 
men and women out there with evil intent. We are blessed to have so 
many heroic men and women willing to put their lives on the line to 
protect us.
  To all of our Nation's law enforcement officers, today and every day, 
thank you.
  May God bless and protect you as you go about your work.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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