Wednesday, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) co-sponsored S.Res.577, a Senate resolution honoring the observance of National Police Week, and commemorated the eight Alabama law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during 2019. The measure specifically designates May 10 to 16, 2020, as “National Police Week.” A week in which Americans honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement officers.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the eight brave police officers from Alabama and many more across the nation who made the ultimate sacrifice last year to protect us,” said Senator Shelby. “Each year during National Police Week, we are reminded of the selfless bravery police officers display. These men and women put our safety above their own, and for that we stand forever grateful. My deepest condolences remain with the families and loved ones of these fallen heroes.”
In 2019, eight officers from Alabama gave their lives and will be permanently listed on the Officer Down Memorial Page:
Police Officer William Ray Buechner, Jr. of Auburn, Alabama – Officer Buechner served with the Auburn Police Division for 13 years.
Sergeant WyTasha Lamar Carter of Birmingham, Alabama – Sergeant Carter was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He served with the Birmingham Police Department for eight years and had previously served with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Leeds Police Department, and Fairfield Police Department for an additional nine years.
Agent Billy Fred Clardy, III of Huntsville, Alabama – Agent Clardy was a U.S. Army veteran. He served with the Huntsville Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Ardmore Police Department, and the Fayetteville, Tennessee, Police Department.
Investigator Dornell Cousette of Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Investigator Cousette was a U.S. Army veteran. He served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for 13 years.
Deputy Sheriff Julius Jamal “Jay” Dailey of Monroe County, Alabama – Deputy Dailey served with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He had previously served with the Alabama Department of Corrections, Thomasville Police Department, and Pine Hill Police Department for eight years.
Deputy Sheriff Levy Pettway of Birmingham, Alabama – Deputy Pettway served with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years and was assigned as the school resource officer at The Calhoun School.
Police Officer Sean Paul Tuder of Mobile, Alabama – Officer Tuder was a member of the Alabama National Guard and served with the Mobile Police Department for three years.
Sheriff John Arthur “Big John” Williams, Sr. of Hayneville, Alabama – Sheriff Williams was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served in his community’s law enforcement for more than 40 years.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy (D) proclaimed that moving forward, the week of May 15 would serve as National Police Week. The week honoring our nation’s law enforcement officers 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. A full schedule of National Police Week activities is available here.
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.
Richard Shelby has represented Alabama in the Senate since 1987. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate.
