NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

On 2026-05-13, Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL-3) delivered a floor speech titled "NATIONAL POLICE WEEK" in the House.

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3446-H3447] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 2000 NATIONAL POLICE WEEK (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Moore of Utah was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.) General Leave Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah? There was no objection. Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be joined by my colleagues for this Police Week Special Order. Law enforcement across this country is putting their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and 1 week per year honoring them will never be enough. I want to respect the time of our colleagues so I will turn the time over to them before I give my remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. Biggs). Mrs. BIGGS of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, during National Police Week, we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge each day, knowing the risks that come with serving others. Today, I rise to remember Greenwood Police Officer Don ``DJ'' Keller who passed away earlier this week while faithfully serving his community. Officer Keller was only 31 years old. He was a fellow National Guardsman, a husband, and a father. He represented the very best of law enforcement. The Greenwood community, the Third District, and the entire State of South Carolina mourn his loss. We also lift up his family, his fellow officers, and all who knew and loved him. Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:9, ``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.'' Officer Keller lived as a peacemaker. His service, sacrifice, and example will not be forgotten. May God bless Officer Keller, his family, and every law enforcement officer serving our communities. Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from South Carolina for her great message, and I appreciate her attending this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack). Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the great State of Utah for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this week, during National Police Week, we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every single day and run toward danger while others are running away. These officers respond to violent crimes, overdoses, domestic disputes, natural disasters, and unimaginable tragedies. They carry burdens that most Americans will never fully understand. As the wife of a first responder, I have seen firsthand the mental and emotional toll, as well as the physical toll, that this job can take on not just the individual wearing the uniform but all their families, as well. The stress, the trauma, and the weight of responsibility do not disappear when a shift ends. Too often, when our first responders need help themselves, the system is not prepared to answer their call. That is why I have introduced the Answering the Call Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and ensure it effectively serves first responders. That is because I can tell you right now, Mr. Speaker, it doesn't. Our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs corrections officers, and public safety telecommunicators face disproportionately high rates of depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide because of the traumatic situations they encounter on the job. Yet many do not seek help because of the stigma or concerns about confidentiality. In fact, over the last 5 years, over 850 law enforcement officers have taken their own lives, and we know that number is underreported. This bill will take practical steps to address this crisis. It promotes targeted outreach to first responders, improves trauma- informed training for 988 counselors, strengthens accountability and establishes a pilot program to improve support services nationwide for our LEOs. First responders answer the call at our most critical moments. That is why this legislation will ensure that when they need help, the system is ready to answer theirs. To every law enforcement officer serving across Florida's Third District, across the Sunshine State, and across this country, I thank them for their courage, their sacrifice, and their service. May God bless our law enforcement officers and their families who stand beside them every single day. Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her inspiring message. It is so personal as well, and I appreciate her willingness to share. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman). Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, National Police Week serves as an important reminder of the brave law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. During this week, we honor the officers who answer the call knowing that they may face dangerous and unpredictable situations in service to our community. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication deserve not only our gratitude, but our continued support. This week, two Wisconsin officers are being honored during National Police Week and will have their names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The first is Racine County Deputy Joshua LaForge. Deputy LaForge knew from an early age that he wanted to serve others through law enforcement. That commitment guided his life and career. He served both with the Racine Police Department for 18 years and then joined the Racine County Sheriff's Department. Throughout his career, he took on many responsibilities within [[Page H3447]] the department, participated in charitable efforts throughout the community, and dedicated himself to helping those around him. Tragically, Deputy LaForge passed away on July 4, 2023. The second is Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder. Officer Corder served with the Milwaukee Police Department for more than 6 years. On June 26, 2025, Officer Corder and his partner responded to a domestic violence call involving an armed suspect. While en route, the call was upgraded to shots fired. When they arrived on the scene, Officer Corder and his partner were ambushed by a suspect hiding in nearby bushes. Officer Corder later succumbed to his injuries on June 29, 2025. Their service and sacrifice serve as a powerful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every day and of the countless families and communities forever changed by their loss. As we remember those who make the ultimate sacrifice, I would also like to make specific mention from Wisconsin's Sixth District, State Trooper Trevor Casper. Back home, he is remembered as a shining example of service, courage, and selflessness. Trevor's dream was to become a Wisconsin State trooper, and in December of 2014, he graduated from the State Patrol Academy and was stationed in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. {time} 2010 Tragically, just months later, on March 24, 2015, during his first solo assignment, Trevor Casper was shot while apprehending a bank robbery and murder suspect. Though mortally wounded, Trevor returned fire and stopped the suspect, protecting innocent lives and preventing further harm to the community. Just think about that. You have been shot and are in the process of dying, but still you return fire, stop the suspect, and save members of the community. He was just 21 years old--so tragic. Trooper Casper's bravery in the face of danger and his commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten. Trevor is also a reminder that there are countless law enforcement officers across this country who quietly make extraordinary sacrifices in service of their communities. Many have given their lives in the line of duty, and each one deserves our respect, gratitude, and remembrance. During National Police Week and throughout the year, we must continue standing with law enforcement officers and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service. I would suggest to those in the Chamber who are hearing our remarks, I think one of the things that you can really do that will drive home to any individual here what a great job our law enforcement officers are doing is to do a drive-along with them. I try to do one of these at least once every 2 years. It really brings home the situations that our law enforcement officers face, the possibility of harm. Nevertheless, again and again and again, they go out, go into unknown circumstances, risking huge physical harm to themselves, to apprehend dangerous members of our community. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Utah for organizing this Special Order. Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) for his message, and I appreciate him for sharing the two incredible, brave individuals. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Schmidt). Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every day and stand between safety and danger. Across Kansas and across our Nation, law enforcement officers answer the calls most of us hope we will never have to make. They run toward danger when others are running away. They work long nights, miss holidays, and experience difficult moments that often go unseen or unrecognized. Their service demands courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to protecting their communities. This week, we especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice