Andrea Joy Campbell: “Today I am joined by 28 of my colleagues in submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all Americans, the…”

“Today I am joined by 28 of my colleagues in submitting this resolution to keep alive in the memory of all Americans, the sacrifice and commitment of those men and women who lost their lives while serving as law enforcement officers. Specifically, this resolution would designate May 15, 2000, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. As a former deputy sheriff, I know first-hand the risks which law enforcement officers face everyday on the front lines protecting our communities. Currently, more than 700,000 men and women who serve this nation as our guardians of law and order do so at a great risk. Every year, about 1 in 9 officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 officers is injured, and 1 in 4,400 officers is killed in the line of duty. There are few communities in this country that have not been impacted by the senseless death of a police officer. In 1999, approximately 135 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have given their lives in the line of duty and nearly 15,000 men and women have made that supreme sacrifice during the past century.”