[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

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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.