WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today released the following statement in honor of National Police Week:
“This week we thank the 780,000 police officers who put on a badge nationwide and risk their lives to protect our communities. The 18th district of Illinois is home to many upstanding, honorable, courageous, and self-sacrificing police officers. Our police officers play an essential role in our communities—working to keep us safe, upholding the rule of law, and responding to emergencies. We also take this time to mourn the loss of our fallen officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty. Just this past winter, South Jacksonville, Illinois, , grieved the loss of one of its very own police officers who died in the line of duty. I also want to take this time to thank their support network—their families, parents, wives, husbands, and children for the sacrifices they make when their loved ones serve as police officers.”
On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty in the United States every 61 hours. This week, Rep. LaHood voted on several measures passed by the House to protect law enforcement officers and to honor their families. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act (S. 125) extends the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program through fiscal year 2020, a program that provides the funds to purchase bulletproof body armor, and requires that police officers wear them. The Federal Law Enforcement Self-Defense and Protection Act (H.R. 2137) would ensure that officers are able to defend and protect themselves on and off-duty by granting them the right to carry a government-issued firearm during a furlough or lapse in federal appropriations. The Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2016 (S. 2755) provides flags flown over the capitol to the immediate family of firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of rescue squads or ambulance crews, and public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty.
To view Rep. LaHood’s speech commemorating National Police Week on the House Floor, CLICK here.
