Drew Ferguson: “I would first like to thank the gentleman from Washington for organizing this event for us to thank the brave men and…”

“I would first like to thank the gentleman from Washington for organizing this event for us to thank the brave men and women who keep our community safe day in and day out. Like him, I have the honor and privilege of serving with Sheriff Rutherford and Chief Demings. It is quite an honor to be with both of them in the 115th Congress. The men and women of law enforcement are moms and dads, sons and daughters, siblings and friends to the very people who they serve. We ask these brave men and women to uphold the law, but so often this seemingly straightforward mandate sends them into the most difficult and tragic situations that our society faces: terrible accidents, domestic disputes, and the strife that threatens the hearts of our towns and communities. Their bravery and courage is unimaginable to someone like me. The complexity of their jobs and the tolls that it takes on their lives is often underestimated. Having a safe community offers our citizens more than just peace of mind. It offers them a place to live, grow their businesses, provide a living for their family, and to be not only economically secure but socially secure. Law enforcement officers play a very critical role in community development. Each generation of our law enforcement community evolves as society changes and their technology and training improve. This allows them to police our communities more responsibly, effectively, and sometimes even to right wrongs of the past generation.…”