Robin Carnahan: “I am proud to take this opportunity to recognize National Police Week 2001 and the immeasurable contributions of our…”

“I am proud to take this opportunity to recognize National Police Week 2001 and the immeasurable contributions of our nation's law enforcement officers. In both urban and rural communities, these men and women touch the lives of all those around them. Today, I urge all Americans to join together in commemorating the tremendous service and sacrifice of our nation's law enforcement officers. We have made great strides since the 1970s, when we lost approximately 220 officers every year through the decade. That figure decreased dramatically in the 1990s to 155 fallen officers each year. Yet, each one of these lives is one too many. And it is with great sorrow that I note that Missouri leads the nation in losing nine law enforcement officers in the past eleven months. We may take comfort only in recognizing and honoring the ultimate sacrifice that each of these individuals has made to their community, to their State, and to their Nation. We owe these officers and their family an unending debt of gratitude. They will always be remembered. The efforts of police officers and chiefs, sheriffs, and highway patrol are largely responsible for the seven percent decrease in crime rates over most of the last decade. In return for their valiant courage in protecting our streets, our homes, and our families, we must strive to find measures that will better protect our law enforcement officers.”