For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2002
President Honors Fallen Peace Officers at Memorial Service
Remarks by the President at 21st Annual Peace Officers Association Memorial Service
U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you all. Please be
seated. Thank you for that kind welcome, and thank you for the
privilege of joining you today at this annual tribute.
Today, and every May 15th, the American flag flies at half-staff in
grateful memory -- in grateful memory -- of thousands of fallen
police officers. This year we pay special homage to 480 men and women
whose names are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial. We do so with enormous respect and appreciation for the
courage and character of all who have answered the call to be a law
enforcement officer.
I want to thank my friend, Steve Young, the President of the FOP,
for inviting me to be here, and I want to thank him for his
leadership. I want to thank members of my Cabinet who are here. I
want to thank the members of the United States Congress who have joined
us on the stage and who are here with us, as well. Thank you all for
coming.
I appreciate Aliza Clark and those who work so hard to help the
families of the fallen. I want to thank the United States Capitol
Police -- Vernon Baker. I want to thank Daniel Rodriguez for lending
his fabulous voice in tribute after tribute to the greatness of
America. (Applause.) And I want to thank Marc Anthony, as well.
(Applause.)
So many family members of fallen officers have come to Washington
for this service, and I want you to know we are honored by your
presence. Standing by you today, and always, are brother and sister
officers who are faithful to the memory of lost friends.
I thank all the officers in attendance, and the departments you
represent. Thank you for your loyalty to one another and for your
service to America. The loyalty of police officers is seen in the
neighborhoods of America when our officers are on duty and whenever one
of your comrades is suddenly taken from us. That happens on average
about three times a week in the life of our nation. And each time we
witness the powerful family that unites the police officers of
America.
When an officer dies in the line of duty, an entire community will
pause in sorrow and in admiration with the depth of feeling Americans
reserve for people who protect us every day.
Last September the 11th, our entire nation grieved at the loss of
72 police officers. It was a loss unlike any we have known before, all
in one moment, all at one place. More than 300 firefighters and rescue
workers died, as well in New York, along with thousands they were
trying to save. As the buildings fell, the sound, said one survivor,
"was like the roar of the devil."
September the 11th was a day of great horror and great heroism. It
was the first day of a long struggle against determined enemies. It
was the first day in which this mighty nation will hunt down the
killers and their like one by one and bring them to justice.
(Applause.)
It's the saddest day in the history of law enforcement. In his
final moments, trapped in rubble, Officer Dominick Pezzulo called out
to one of his fellows, and he said, "Just remember me." The last voice
he heard was Officer Will Jimeno, promising him they would never
forget. So, Dominick, today we remember -- we remember courage and
bravery and sacrifice.
Sacrifice like that of John -- Police Officer John Perry, who
retired on September the 11th. Early that morning, he had turned in
his badge at the 40th Precinct. A moment later, he heard the sound of
the first attack and the radio traffic that followed. He put his badge
back on and was last seen directing people to safety at the bottom of
the tower.
I have the police shield of another officer who died on that day.
His name was George G. Howard. His mother gave me this badge. She
gave it to me in love for George, but she gave it to me because I'm
confident she wanted her President never to forget what took place.
(Applause.)
We call all those we honor today, those who lost their life in 9/11
and those who lost their life before and after 9/11, heroes --
because they are heroes. Their families are proud of them, and always
will be. Yet there's not a husband or wife here today, or a parent or
child, who would not trade the honor to have them back. In a eulogy
for his son who died on September the 11th, one father said, "I know
he's in good hands, but I wish he was in my hands." We know how you
feel.
There are more than 700,000 sworn law officers across America.
When the oath is administered they accept great responsibilities --
and accept great risk. Even in the most routine moments on watch or
patrol, you protect us. Even on the quietest day, the next call may
send you into extremes of danger. America is grateful. You just need
to know, America is grateful.
We have confidence in our law enforcement because we know the kind
of men and women we select and we know the nature of the men and women
we train for the job. They're the ones who face down threats, who
place themselves between the innocent and the guilty, who step into
scenes of chaos and violence thinking only of whom they can help.
No one goes into police work for the money, nor does anybody put on
the uniform expecting a life of ease. You take the job because you
respect the law and you know that someone has to do the challenging
work of enforcing it. Fortunately, this great country -- America
-- has never been short of such men and women and your devoted
service, and we are very grateful.
Every day in everyplace in America we can be thankful for the
integrity and courage of our officers of our law. Today we give thanks
for the special courage of the fallen
-- those whose watch ended with their lives. America cannot fully
repay our debt to them and to the families. We can only acknowledge
that debt, which we do today with pride and affection of an entire
nation.
May God bless you all, and may God bless America. (Applause.)