    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 15, 2002]
    [Pages 804-805]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Peace Officers Memorial Service
    May 15, 2002

        Thank you very much. Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you for
    that kind welcome, and thank you for the privilege of joining you today
    at this annual tribute.
        Today and every May 15th the American flag flies at half-staff in
    grateful memory--in grateful memory--of thousands of fallen police
    officers. This year we pay special homage to 480 men and women whose
    names are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
    We do so with enormous respect and appreciation for the courage and
    character of all who have answered the call to be a law enforcement
    officer.
        I want to thank my friend Steve Young, the
    president of the FOP, for inviting me to be here, and I want to thank
    him for his leadership. I want to thank members of my Cabinet who are
    here. I want to thank the Members of the United States Congress who have
    joined us on the stage and who are here with us as well. Thank you all
    for coming.
        I appreciate Aliza Clark and those who work
    so hard to help the families of the fallen. I want to thank the United
    States Capitol Police, Vernon Baker. I want to
    thank Daniel Rodriguez for lending his
    fabulous voice in tribute after tribute to the greatness of America. And
    I want to thank Marc Anthony as well.
        So many family members of fallen officers have come to Washington
    for this service, and I want you to know we are honored by your
    presence. Standing by you today and always are brother and sister
    officers who are faithful to the memory of lost friends.
        I thank all the officers in attendance and the departments you
    represent. Thank you for your loyalty to one another and for your
    service to America. The loyalty of police officers is seen in the
    neighborhoods of America when our officers are on duty and whenever one
    of your comrades is suddenly taken from us. That happens on average
    about three times a week in the life of our Nation, and each time we
    witness the powerful family that unites the police officers of America.
    When an officer dies in the line of duty, an entire community will pause
    in sorrow and in admiration with the depth of feeling Americans reserve
    for people who protect us every day.
        Last September the 11th, our entire Nation grieved at the loss of 72
    police officers. It was a loss unlike any we have known before, all in
    one moment, all at one place. More than 300 firefighters and
    rescueworkers died as well in New York, along with thousands they were
    trying to save. As the buildings fell, the sound, said one survivor,
    ``was like the roar of the devil.''
        September the 11th was a day of great horror and great heroism. It
    was the first day of a long struggle against determined enemies. It was
    the first day in which this mighty Nation will hunt down the killers and
    their like one by one and bring them to justice.
        It's the saddest day in the history of law enforcement. In his final
    moments, trapped in rubble, Officer Dominick Pezzulo called out to one
    of his fellows, and he said, ``Just remember me.'' The last voice he
    heard was Officer Will Jimeno, promising him
    they would never forget. So, Dominick, today we remember--we remember
    courage and bravery and sacrifice.
        Sacrifice like that of John--Police Officer John Perry, who retired
    on September the 11th. Early that morning, he had turned in his badge at
    the 40th Precinct. A moment later, he heard the sound of the first
    attack and the radio traffic that followed. He put his badge back on and
    was last seen directing people to safety at the bottom of the tower.

    [[Page 805]]

        I have the police shield of another officer who died on that day.
    His name was George G. Howard. His mother gave
    me this badge. She gave it to me in love for George, but she gave it to
    me because I'm confident she wanted her President never to forget what
    took place.
        We call all those we honor today, those who lost their life in 9/11
    and those who lost their life before and after 9/11, heroes--because
    they are heroes. Their families are proud of them and always will be.
    Yet there's not a husband or wife here today or a parent or child who
    would not trade the honor to have them back. In a eulogy for his son who
    died on September the 11th, one father said, ``I know he's in good
    hands, but I wish he was in my hands.'' We know how you feel.
        There are more than 700,000 sworn law officers across America. When
    the oath is administered, they accept great responsibilities and accept
    great risk. Even in the most routine moments on watch or patrol, you
    protect us. Even on the quietest day, the next call may send you into
    extremes of danger. America is grateful. You just need to know, America
    is grateful.
        We have confidence in our law enforcement because we know the kind
    of men and women we select and we know the nature of the men and women
    we train for the job. They're the ones who face down threats, who place
    themselves between the innocent and the guilty, who step into scenes of
    chaos and violence thinking only of whom they can help.
        No one goes into police work for the money, nor does anybody put on
    the uniform expecting a life of ease. You take the job because you
    respect the law and you know that someone has to do the challenging work
    of enforcing it. Fortunately, this great country, America, has never
    been short of such men and women and your devoted service, and we are
    very grateful.
        Every day in every place in America, we can be thankful for the
    integrity and courage of our officers of our law. Today we give thanks
    for the special courage of the fallen, those whose watch ended with
    their lives. America cannot fully repay our debt to them and to the
    families. We can only acknowledge that debt, which we do today with
    pride and affection of an entire nation.
        May God bless you all, and may God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:45 p.m. on the West Grounds at the
    Capitol. In his remarks, he referred to Steve Young, national president,
    Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); Aliza Clark, president, Fraternal Order
    of Police Auxiliary; Officer Vernon Baker, chaplain, Fraternal Order of
    Police of Ohio, who gave the invocation; Officer Daniel Rodriguez, New
    York City Police Department, who sang the national anthem; singer Marc
    Anthony; Officer Will Jimeno, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;
    and Arlene Howard, mother of Officer George G. Howard. The Peace
    Officers Memorial Day and Police Week proclamation of May 10 is listed
    in Appendix D at the end of this volume.