George Herbert Walker Bush

“ Each and every day of the year—and at every hour of the day—our Nation's law enforcement officers walk the thin blue line, putting themselves in harm's way to protect the lives and the property of their fellow Americans. Statistics provided by the Department of Justice underscore the risks and sacrifices that they accept for our sake: on average, one officer dies in the line of duty every 57 hours; that is, 150 law enforcement personnel each year. ”

“ Years from now, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will continue to remind visitors of the debt that we owe to those who have died in the service of public safety and justice. On this occasion, however, as we honor the fallen, let us also remember the heroic individuals who, at this very moment, continue to wage our Nation's fight against crime. ”

“ Because such numbers, like news headlines, can too often belie the reality of human suffering, we must always remember that each of these officers is a beloved son or daughter, a husband or wife, a sister or brother, a mother or father, or a friend. ”