Roy Blunt: “what I came to talk about today is a bill we did pass a couple of weeks ago. As we get ready for police week early in…”

“what I came to talk about today is a bill we did pass a couple of weeks ago. As we get ready for police week early in May--I think the week of the 9th of May--there are people we want to recognize and do recognize and do appreciate. I am cochair, along with Senator Coons of Delaware, of the Law Enforcement Caucus. I want to speak today about something we have just done to honor our first responders. I want to start by recognizing the first responders from my State of Missouri who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. In Missouri, four law enforcement officers died in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Steven Brett Hawkins of the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, Trooper James Matthew Bava of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sergeant Peggy Marie Vassallo of the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department, and Officer Ronald Eugene Strittmatter of the Lakeshire Police Department lost their lives. Deputy Sheriff Brett Hawkins of Bethany, MO, suffered a fatal heart attack on September 13 following an emergency response. He was 34 years old. Deputy Sheriff Hawkins suffered that attack after returning home from his shift, which included the search of a residence and surrounding property. He had served with the Harrison County Sheriff's Office for 3 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons. Trooper James Bava of Mexico, MO, was involved in a fatal vehicle crash while pursuing a motorcyclist for a traffic stop on August 28.…”