Ted Poe: “Today, the badges of American peace officers are draped with the black cloth of sacrifice in honor of those killed in…”

“Today, the badges of American peace officers are draped with the black cloth of sacrifice in honor of those killed in the line of duty protecting America's people. Even though Congress has not yet passed legislation this year to designate today, May 15, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, this is the day we remember America's peace officers. Today at 1 o'clock in the afternoon in front of the Capitol, thousands of peace officers and families of the fallen will pay tribute to those who wear the badge and those who gave their life so that others could live. Peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between the law and the lawless, between the people and the barbarians, between good and evil. Almost 20,000 peace officers have been killed in the line of duty in the United States. 60,000 a year are assaulted. Nearly 1 million peace officers vigilantly, faithfully patrol our streets, neighborhoods and rural communities and cities. We owe them our heartfelt respect and gratitude. Madam Speaker, peace officers who wear the badge are, as my dad used to say, 'A cut above the rest of us.' And that's just the way it is.”