Brian Kerns: “last weekend, we laid to rest an officer killed in the line of duty in Martinsville, Indiana. Today, I come to the floor…”

“last weekend, we laid to rest an officer killed in the line of duty in Martinsville, Indiana. Today, I come to the floor of the House to pay respect to this brave officer, Sergeant Daniel Starnes. Sergeant Starnes was taken from us after struggling 27 days to recover from infections caused by four gunshot wounds. His death has brought the Martinsville community to its knees. Because of the dedication and the courage of men and women in law enforcement, like Sergeant Starnes, all too often we take for granted our family's safety and the safety of our police officers. It is through their commitment to serve and protect us that we have peace of mind and a sense of security. We must also always remember that behind the badge is a human being. Sergeant Starnes was more than just a model law enforcement officer, he was a husband and a father and a friend to so many, and his loss weighs heavy on us all. Over this past weekend, thousands of law enforcement officers from across Indiana and our great Nation turned out to honor Sergeant Starnes. And while his death has shocked people in Morgan County and throughout Indiana, it has also brought the community together in an outpouring of support and love for the Starnes family and those in law enforcement who put their lives on the line each day. During the funeral procession through town, people lined the streets with either their head bowed, their hand over their heart, or flying an American flag to pay respect.”