Rob Portman: “while carrying out their duties, more than 150 police officers are killed every year--a rate of one death every 52…”

“while carrying out their duties, more than 150 police officers are killed every year--a rate of one death every 52 hours. And, every year, more than 65,000 police officers are assaulted and 23,000 injured. On Friday, those statistics were brought close to home when, tragically, Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson were killed in the line of duty. These brave men died protecting the lives of the Members of Congress, staff and those who were visiting the Capitol. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both officers, and with their friends and colleagues in the U.S. Capitol Police. The Capitol is known around the world as the symbol of democracy. It has been called the 'People's House'--a place where citizens can freely come to meet with their elected officials and watch democracy at work. Officers Chestnut and Gibson died protecting our right to have a free and open democratic form of government. All Americans, not just those who work in the Capitol, have suffered a loss.”