Portal:Federal Bureau of Investigation

“ The men and women we honor here today were larger-than-life heroes in every sense of the word. They fought and died for the strongly held principles of law and order. Their sacrifice has made a difference to each and everyone of us. ”

“ Since 1988, nearly 700 law enforcement officers throughout the country have been slain in the line of duty, another 629 have been killed in duty-related accidents, and over 600,000 officers have been assaulted. While progress is being made in fighting crime, violence remains a serious threat to those who have sworn to protect society.Yet, even with the challenges facing law enforcement, brave men and women continue to join these ranks and swear to work each day to preserve the peace and improve the safety of towns and cities across America. ”

“ Whether a seasoned veteran or a rookie just out of training, these heroic men and women, and their fallen colleagues whom we honor today, come from many different backgrounds. However, they are linked by a common ideal— that freedom is worth defending and that justice shall prevail... ”