    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [May 15, 2003]
    [Pages 494-496]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Peace Officers Memorial Service
    May 15, 2003

        Thank you all very much for that warm welcome, and thank you for the
    privilege of joining you all for this memorial service.
        Today Americans join in tribute to a great profession and remember
    good men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. We recall their
    stories. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to their families and their
    colleagues, and we honor their distinguished service to the cause of
    justice and peace.
        I appreciate Chuck Canterbury's
    leadership. I appreciate his candor. I appreciate the fact that he cares
    deeply about the men and women who wear the uniforms all across our
    country. The Fraternal Order of Peace has got a good man in Chuck
    Canterbury, leading this fine organization.
        He also replaced a good man, a man that I could call friend, in
    Steve Young. I know Denise and his son Steven  Jr. are
    with us today, and our prayers are with you, Denise and Steven, as you
    continue to cope with the life without your good husband and good dad.
        I appreciate so very much members of my Cabinet being here today.
    John Ashcroft stands strong for law and order
    in our country. I'm honored that Gale Norton
    and Elaine Chao will join us as well. The
    Director of the FBI, Bob Mueller,  III is
    doing a fantastic job in converting the FBI into a agency which is going
    to be on the frontline of making sure terrorists do not harm our
    American citizens, and I appreciate your leadership, Director Mueller.
        I want to thank the Members of Congress who are here. I know Duke
    Cunningham ``Duke'' is here. I see Mac
    Collins. ``Mac'' I know there are other
    Members from the United States Congress who are here. Thank you for
    coming to join us.
        I want to thank Aliza Clark for her
    continued leadership; Jim Pasco.  Jr. It's
    good to see Ray Kelly. I want to thank Marc
    Anthony and Jamie McCarthy for joining--for lending their talents to this solemn
    service. I appreciate you all coming.
        I want to thank all the law enforcement officers who have come here
    today to honor the fallen. But I want to thank you as well for what you
    do every day to make sure our country is a secure country. I
    particularly want to say to the families, there is a lot of love and
    compassion in this Nation of ours. A lot of people pray for you, and my
    hope is that their prayers will give you the strength necessary to move
    on.
        This year, 377 names are added to the National Law Enforcement
    Memorial, including 148 who were killed in the line of duty in 2002. The
    death of a peace officer is a reminder that peace can be fragile and
    safety will always need defenders. Law enforcement officers know that
    evil is real, and evil has servants of its own, criminals and terrorists
    who live by violence and make victims of the innocent.
        And law enforcement officers know that evil must always be opposed.
    Justice and

    [[Page 495]]

    order and safety in every time are the achievements of bravery. More
    than 700,000 of our fellow Americans show that bravery as sworn officers
    of the law, and this Nation is grateful to your service.
        The risks of law enforcement come in difficult assignments and even
    in routine calls. Officers train and prepare for many threats. Yet
    preparation will never take the danger away from a hard profession. Mary
    Ann Collura, Ann an 18-year vet from Fair Lawn,
    New Jersey, Police Department, was killed while confronting an armed man
    after a high-speed chase. A fellow officer later said, ``You know, there
    are probably a hundred cops like this who did everything right and still
    have their names on the wall. You put your fate in the hands of God
    every day when you go out there.''
        For an officer's loved ones, daily life is also an act of faith.
    Family members share the uncertainties and worries of service. America
    recognizes and honors the sacrifice of our law enforcement families. We
    thank you for your service to our country as well. And every May 15th,
    we think especially of those who have received the sudden and terrible
    news, many of whom are here today. Your sadness and loss are deep and so
    is your pride. Long before tragedy came, you knew this person you loved
    was brave and good, and your country knows it, too.
        Last October, Virginia State Trooper C. Mark Cosslett
    Mark was killed while racing to a scene. He had spent the
    morning at a pre-school, comforting children who were frightened by the
    sniper attacks here in Washington--in the Washington area. One of the
    parents later said, ``I never met Mark Cosslett and wouldn't have known
    his name but for his fatal accident. I do know one thing, and I knew it
    before he was gone: At a time when my family was looking for a hero,
    there he was.''
        In times of challenge and uncertainty, we see more clearly who has
    really earned our admiration. At a memorial service for Chicago
    Patrolman Benjamin Perez, the police chaplain
    said this: ``Heroes are not found on basketball courts or in rock bands.
    They're found on the backs of engines and the front seats of squad
    cars.''
        Over the past 20 months, Americans have rediscovered how much we owe
    the men and women who repeat an oath and carry a badge. They have not
    only taken a job, they have accepted a mission. When they are called for
    help, they answer it. You see danger; they will confront it. All of us
    rely, every day, on their high standards of conduct, their skill, and
    your sense of duty.
        In the spring of last year, Sheriff's Deputy David March of Los Angeles County pulled over a stolen car and was
    shot and killed by the driver. His colleagues remember him as a good
    street cop. It's one of the most perilous and essential jobs in America.
    His boss, Sheriff Lee Baca, said, ``an honest
    man who had no fear, a man of faith who believed in others.'' About a
    week before his death, Deputy March sent an e-mail to his station
    commander, and here's what he said. ``My goals are simple. I will always
    be painfully honest, work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can, and
    make a difference in people's lives.''
        These are the values we expect of every sworn law enforcement
    officer, honesty and hard work and devoted service. These are the values
    Americans see every day in the officers of law who patrol the streets
    and highways, investigate crimes, and arrest the accused. And every time
    such a man or woman is taken from us, our Nation has lost one of its
    finest citizens, a community has lost a friend and protector, and a
    family has lost an example of character and courage who they will love
    and respect forever.
        Today, in their memory, the flag of the United States of America
    flies at halfstaff. We pray God's blessings on those who grieve. Our
    Nation honors each name. We are grateful for each life.
        May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless the United
    States of America.

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    Note: The President spoke at 12:40 p.m. on the West Grounds at the
    Capitol. In his remarks, he referred to Chuck Canterbury, national
    president, Steve Young, former national president, and James O. Pasco,
    Jr., executive director, Fraternal Order of Police; Aliza Clark,
    president, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary; New York City Police
    Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly; entertainer Marc Anthony; and Tucson, AZ,
    police officer Jamie McCarthy, who sang the national anthem. The Peace
    Officers Memorial Day and Police Week proclamation of May 9 is listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.