Asa Hutchinson: “last November, deputies and employees of the Benton County Sheriff's Office in Arkansas voted Rich Owen Deputy of the…”

“last November, deputies and employees of the Benton County Sheriff's Office in Arkansas voted Rich Owen Deputy of the Year. They selected him for the award, they noted, because of his outstanding professionalism and devotion to helping others. Within days of that vote, Deputy Owen died in the line of duty. He died from injuries he received in an auto accident while responding to a burglary call. This week is National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Week, a time dedicated to the memory of heroes like Rich Owen, men and women who gave their lives serving and protecting others. I am at once proud and at the same time sad to pay tribute to these officers. I am proud that Arkansas has produced such courageous individuals as Deputy Owen, but I am sad that some have paid such an awful price for that dedication. I would like to pay special tribute to Deputy Owen's son, Brandon, who is with me here today. And I offer my condolences to Brandon's mother, Frankie Owen, as well. These two stand as a constant reminder of the sacrifices not only our police officers pay every day, but their families as well. They stand here today as a reminder of the debt the rest of us owe to our law enforcement community. The courage we pay tribute to here today is not only that of the officers, but of their families as well. The sacrifices they make are great.”