[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 20 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Pages 829-830]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 830]]

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.
    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.