Remarks by the President at Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service
Peace Officers Memorial
Washington, D.C.
May 15, 2003 12:40 P.M. EDT
President Bush: Thank you all very
much for that warm welcome, and thank you for the privilege of joining you
all for this memorial service.
Today Americans join in tribute to a great
profession, and remember good men and women who have fallen in the line of
duty. We recall their stories. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to their
families and their colleagues. And we honor their distinguished service to
the cause of justice and peace.
I appreciate Chuck Canterbury's leadership.
I appreciate his candor. I appreciate the fact that he cares deeply about
the men and women who wear the uniforms all across our country. The
Paternal Order of Peace has got a good man in Chuck Canterbury, leading
this fine organization.
He also replaced a good man, a man that I
could call friend, in Steve Young. I know Denise and his son Steven are
with us today, and our prayers are with you, Denise and Steven, as you
continue to cope with the life without your good husband and good dad.
I appreciate so very much members of my
Cabinet being here today: John Ashcroft stands strong for law and order in
our country. I'm honored that Gale Norton and Elaine Chao will join
us, as well. The Director of the FBI, Bob Mueller, is doing a fantastic
job in converting the FBI into a agency which is going to be on the front
line of making sure terrorists do not harm our American citizens. And I
appreciate your leadership, Director Mueller.
I want to thank the members of Congress who
are here. I know Duke Cunningham is here. I see Matt Collins. I know there
are other members from the United States Congress who are here. Thank you
for coming to join us. I want to thank Aliza Clark for her continued
leadership; Jim Pasco. It's good to see Ray Kelly. I want to thank Marc
Anthony and Jaime McCarthy for joining -- for lending their talents to
this solemn service. I appreciate you all coming.
I want to thank all the law enforcement
officers who have come here today to honor the fallen. But I want to thank
you, as well, for what you do every day to make sure our country is a
secure country. I particularly want to say to the families, there is a lot
of love and compassion in this nation of ours. A lot of people pray for
you. And my hope is that their prayers will give you the strength
necessary to move on.
This year, 377 names are added to the
National Law Enforcement Memorial, including 148 who were killed in the
line of duty in 2002. The death of a peace officer is a reminder that
peace can be fragile and safety will always need defenders. Law
enforcement officers know that evil is real, and evil has servants of its
own -- criminals and terrorists who live by violence and make victims of
the innocent.
And law enforcement officers know that evil
must always be opposed. Justice and order and safety in every time are the
achievements of bravery. More than 700,000 of our fellow Americans show
that bravery as sworn officers of the law. And this nation is grateful to
your service. |
| For an officer's
loved ones, daily life is also an act of faith. Family members share the
uncertainties and worries of service. America recognizes and honors the
sacrifice of our law enforcement families. We thank you for your service
to our country, as well. And every May 15th, we think especially of those
who have received the sudden and terrible news, many of whom are here
today. Your sadness and loss are deep, and so is your pride. Long before
tragedy came, you knew this person you loved was brave and good. And your
country knows it, too.
Last October, Virginia State Trooper C.
Mark Cosslett was killed while racing to a scene. He had spent the morning
at a pre-school, comforting children who were frightened by the sniper
attacks here in Washington, in the Washington area. One of the parents
later said, "I never Mark Cosslett and wouldn't have known his name
but for his fatal accident. I do know one thing -- and I knew it before he
was gone -- at a time when my family was looking for a hero, there he
was."
In times of challenge and uncertainty, we
see more clearly who has really earned our admiration. At a memorial
service for Chicago Patrolman Benjamin Perez, the police chaplain said
this: "Heroes are not found on basketball courts or in rock bands;
they're found on the backs of engines and the front seats of squad
cars."
Over the past 20 months, Americans have
rediscovered how much we owe the men and women who repeat an oath and
carry a badge. They have not only taken a job, they have accepted a
mission. When they are called for help, they answer it. You see danger,
they will confront it. All of us rely, every day, on their high standards
of conduct, their skill and your sense of duty.
In the spring of last year, Sheriff's
Deputy David March, of Los Angeles County, pulled over a stolen car, and
was shot and killed by the driver. His colleagues remember him as a good
street cop. It's one of the most perilous and essential jobs in America.
His boss, Sheriff Lee Baca, said, "an honest man who had no fear, a
man of faith who believed in others." About a week before his death,
Deputy March sent an email to his station commander, and here's what he
said. "My goals are simple. I will always be painfully honest, work
as hard as I can, learn as much as I can, and make a difference in
people's lives."
These are the values we expect of every
sworn law enforcement officer -- honesty and hard work and devoted
service. These are the values Americans see every day in the officers of
law who patrol the streets and highways, investigate crimes and arrest the
accused. And every time such a man or woman is taken from us, our nation
has lost one of its finest citizens, a community has lost a friend and
protector, and a family has lost an example of character and courage who
they will love and respect forever.
Today in their memory, the flag of the
United States of America flies at half-staff. We pray God's blessings on
those who grieve. Our nation honors each name. We are grateful for each
life.
May God bless you all, and may God continue
to bless the United States of America. |