John Thune: “last month, a Sioux Falls, SD, police officer responded to a report of a weapons violation. While pursuing one of the…”

“last month, a Sioux Falls, SD, police officer responded to a report of a weapons violation. While pursuing one of the suspects, the officer in question was ambushed by the other suspect and shot. Here in DC last month, law enforcement officers on duty at the White House Correspondents' Dinner responded when an individual darted through a security checkpoint with the intent of assassinating the President and members of his administration. One officer was shot, fortunately in the vest. The job of a law enforcement officer is an unpredictable one. Of course, all of life has uncertainty, but when most of us depart our houses every day, we can be pretty certain that we will return that evening the same way we left that morning--in safety. Police officers, law enforcement officers, don't have that same assurance. The job of a police officer is unpredictable. Some days might be very quiet--helping a stranded motorist, writing a speeding ticket, chatting with kids about police work at a school function--but other days--other days--a police officer might respond to a call and be confronted with a gunman. Law enforcement officers never know what kind of day it will be. The Secret Service agent leaving her house in the morning doesn't know whether she will have to throw herself between her principal and danger before nightfall. The sheriff's deputy serving a warrant doesn't know whether it will be a peaceful event or whether he will confront a volley of bullets.”