Richard C. Shelby

05/19/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2022 13:26

Shelby Honors Fallen Police Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) cosponsored a bipartisan resolution commemorating National Police Week and reiterating support for the men and women in law enforcement. The measure, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), designates the week of May 15 through May 21, 2022, as "National Police Week," and expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities.

"National Police Week celebrates our law enforcement officers and memorializes those lost in the line of duty. I am pleased to be a part of this effort. Our men and women in law enforcement put on the badge and risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities. It is only fitting that we recognize and honor their service and sacrifice. My deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those officers who have paid the ultimate price. We owe those who are currently serving a great debt of gratitude and our unending support," said Senator Shelby.

The resolution, which the Senate unanimously adopted Wednesday evening, honors the 576 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2021, including nearly 400 who died from COVID-19, as well as the 92 lost to date in 2022. Last year marked the most intentional killings of police since the September 11, 2001, attacks. In the face of an ongoing pandemic and rise in violent crime, law enforcement personnel continue to answer the call, serving their communities - often at great risk to themselves.

In 1962, President Kennedy signed a law stating that, moving forward, the President could proclaim May 15 every year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the federal, state, and local officers who have been killed, disabled, or otherwise injured in the line of duty. President Kennedy's proclamation also authorized that the week of May 15 would serve as National Police Week to honor our nation's law enforcement officers. This was first established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and pays tribute to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Each year, National Police Week is made possible by the work of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, and the Concerns of Police Survivors.

In addition to Senators Shelby, Grassley, and Durbin, the resolution is cosponsored by 83 of their Senate colleagues.

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