On the recordMay 11, 2021
Madam President, this week is National Police Week, and I rise today in honor of the service and sacrifice of law enforcement across this country. In North Carolina, we lost 10 law enforcement officers in 2020, and we tragically lost 6, so far, in 2021. Some of these officers were victims of COVID, others were involved in car accidents, and some made the ultimate sacrifice being killed in the line of duty. Recent tragedies in Cabarrus, Gaston, Henderson, and Watauga Counties in my State of North Carolina have been met with an outpouring of gratitude, appreciation, and love from the residents for the communities they help keep safe. Last September, we lost Deputy Ryan Hendrix of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office after he was shot and killed responding to a break-in. Officer Hendrix was only 35 years old. He had two young children and was set to be married to his fiance the following month. Last December, Tyler Herndon of the Mount Holly Police Department was tragically killed in the line of duty just days before his 26th birthday. In December, Officer Jason Shuping of the Concord Police Department was shot and killed while responding to an attempted carjacking. Officer Shuping was only 25 years old. He left behind his wife Haylee, a high school sweetheart whom he had been in love with for years and married for 2. Last week, I had the honor--the sad honor--of joining Cabarrus County to commemorate Law Enforcement Day and to honor Officer Shuping's service.…





