U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, recognized National Police Week on Wednesday by honoring the four slain Alabama law enforcement officers.
He also paid tribute to the other 356 brave men and women who were added to the National Peace Officers Memorial during a service at the U.S. Capitol.
“It is a privilege to pay tribute to our nation’s police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” Shelby said. “Each year during National Police Week, we are reminded of their selfless acts of bravery and the risks taken to protect our citizens every single day. Thank you to the courageous police officers in Alabama and across the nation. My sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of the fallen heroes.”
The following officers from Alabama were added to the National Peace Officer’s Memorial:
- Special Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Lawrence O’Bryant of Calhoun County, Alabama
- Chief of Police James Durand of Hobson City, Alabama
- Town Marshal Seaborn J. Crook of Jacksonville, Alabama
- Sheriff John S. Harrington of Monroe County, Alabama
“During National Police Week, let’s all take the time to thank a police officer for the difficult work they do to keep our communities safe,” Congresswoman Martha Roby said. “Police officers across our country put their lives on the line every day for our well-being.”
“The House is acting this week to protect the many men and women who serve our citizens in law enforcement by voting on several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 4854, the Justice Served Act, to increase resources to help reduce the DNA analysis backlog and prosecute dangerous criminals,” Roby said. “We will also be voting on H.R. 5698, the Protect and Serve Act, to introduce penalties for criminal offenses that specifically target law enforcement officers. To the police officers in AL-02 and across our state, thank you for your service and sacrifice. You are appreciated.”
“Law enforcement officers leave the safety of their homes each day not knowing if they will pass back through their own front doors when their day is done,” Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, said. “They leave their families behind to ensure the safety of our loved ones at schools, in neighborhoods, and on the roadways. These individuals are true public servants, who answer the call and put their lives on the line.”
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed that each year the week of May 15 would serve as National Police Week. The week honoring our nation’s law enforcement officers was 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 to protect Americans.
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.
