[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 8804-8805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2006

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, many of our Nation's law enforcement 
officers have come to Washington, DC, to commemorate National Police 
Week. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all Federal, 
State, and local law enforcement officials for their outstanding 
service and their vital contributions to the safety of our communities. 
I would also like to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in 
the line of duty. These officers, and their families, have paid the 
ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others.
  The first National Police Week was celebrated in 1962 when President 
John F. Kennedy signed an Executive order designating May 15 as Peace 
Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as ``Police 
Week.'' The weeklong tribute to our Nation's local, State and Federal 
police officers honors those who died in the line of duty and those who 
continue to serve and protect us every day at great personal risk. 
According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, 1,635 law 
enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in the last 
10 years. In 2005 alone, 155 officers lost their lives, including 5 
from Michigan. The names of these officers have been permanently 
engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial along side 
more than 17,000 others.
  Sadly, more police officers have lost their lives to guns than to any 
other cause over the last 10 years. In 2005, 59 officers were shot to 
death while in the line of duty. This year's Police Week activities 
occur shortly after the horrific shooting of Detective Vicky Armel and 
Officer Michael Garbarino at a police station in nearby Fairfax County, 
VA. Last Monday afternoon, Detective Armel and Officer Garbarino were 
ambushed in the parking lot of the police station by an 18-year-old 
reportedly armed with an AK-47 military-style assault rifle, a high-
powered hunting rifle, and five handguns. During the course of the 
shootout with Detective Armel, Officer Garbarino, and other officers, 
the gunman fired more than 70 times. Tragically, Detective Armel died 
later that day and Officer Garbarino passed away early Wednesday 
morning.

[[Page 8805]]

  It is not enough to simply mention those, like Detective Armel and 
Officer Garbarino, who have given their lives protecting our 
communities. In order to truly honor their service and sacrifice, we 
should take up and pass commonsense gun safety legislation to help 
protect law enforcement officials from the threat posed by military 
style firearms.
  The sale of assault rifles like the AK-47 used in last week's 
shooting were prohibited under the 1994 assault weapons ban. 
Unfortunately, the President and the Republican congressional 
leadership allowed this legislation to expire on September 13, 2004, 
allowing 19 previously banned types of assault weapons and other 
firearms with military style features to once again be legally sold. 
Recognizing the especially lethal nature of these military style 
firearms, I have cosponsored legislation to restore and strengthen the 
assault weapons ban.
  I am also a cosponsor of legislation to prohibit the sale of the 
Five-Seven armor-piercing handgun and its ammunition in the United 
States. A number of national law enforcement organizations have 
publicly called for a ban on these firearms because of the threat they 
pose to police officers, even those wearing body armor. According to 
the manufacturer's Web site, the Five-Seven weighs less than 2 pounds 
fully loaded and measures only 8.2 inches in length, making it easily 
concealable. A statement which previously appeared on the Web site 
boasted ``Enemy personnel, even wearing body armor can be effectively 
engaged up to 200 meters. Kevlar helmets and vests as well as the 
CRISAT protection will be penetrated.'' These military style pistols 
clearly have no sporting purpose and pose a great threat to the lives 
of our law enforcement officers.
  We can and should do more to support and protect those who are 
working to ensure the safety of our communities. The names of law 
enforcement officers from Michigan who were added to the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial this year are:

     Detective Lavern Steven Brann of Battle Creek, Died May 9, 
         0000
     Officer Owen David Fisher of Flint, Died July 16, 0000
     Commander Dale Francis Bernock of Dearborn, Died October 3, 
         0000
     Officer Scot Andrew Beyerstedt of Mattawan, Died July 26, 
         0000
     Sergeant Michael Allen Scarbrough of Wayne County, Died 
         February 9, 0000
     Deputy Sheriff Paul Lee Mickel of Wayne County, Died November 
         18, 0000
     Chief Benjamin Lewis Carpenter of Newaygo, Died July 23, 0000
     Night Watchman William A. Daniels of Cassopolis, Died January 
         26, 0000

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