Thune Honors the Service and Sacrifice of Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers

Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, last month, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, police officer responded to a report of a weapons violation. “While pursuing one of the suspects, the officer in question was ambushed by the other suspect and shot. “Here in D.C. last month, law enforcement officers on duty at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner responded when an individual darted through a security checkpoint with the intent of assassinating the president and members of his administration. “One officer was shot, fortunately in the vest. “The job of a law enforcement officer, Mr. President, is an unpredictable one. “Of course all of life has uncertainty, but when most of us depart our houses every day, we can be pretty certain that we will return that evening the same way we left that morning – in safety. “Police officers, law enforcement officers, don’t have that same assurance. “The job of a police officer is unpredictable. “Some days might be very quiet – helping a stranded motorist, writing a speeding ticket, chatting with kids about police work at a school function. “But other days, Mr. President? “Other days a police officer might respond to a call and be confronted with a gunman. “And law enforcement officers never know what kind of day it will be. “The Secret Service agent leaving her house in the morning doesn’t know whether she will have to throw herself between her principal and danger before nightfall. “The sheriff’s deputy serving a warrant doesn’t know whether it will be a peaceful event, or whether he’ll confront a volley of bullets. “And yet every day, men and women across this country embrace their jobs in law enforcement. “They’re born protectors, who willingly shoulder the risks and dangers to keep them away from the rest of us. “And this week, Mr. President, we honor them. “This week we observe National Police Week, to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s law enforcement officers. “And tomorrow we observe National Peace Officers Memorial Day – a day to remember the men and women of law enforcement who have given their lives in the line of duty. “This year’s Police Week resolution notes that in 2025, more than 200 officers were killed in the line of duty. “Two hundred men and women who left their homes in the morning, and failed to return to it at the end of the day. “‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ “For these men and women, we were all their friends. “Mr. President, as we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s law enforcement officers, we also need to honor their families. “Because their families also serve. “They say goodbye in the morning to a husband or wife, a mom or a dad, a son or a daughter, with the knowledge always at the back of their minds that their loved one may not come home at the end of the day. “And every year, for some law enforcement [families], that fear comes true. “And this week and every week, we should remember them. “Mr. President, this Police Week, I want to say a special thank you to the South Dakota law enforcement officers – police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, tribal police, federal officers who serve our state. “I am grateful for all you do to keep South Dakotans safe. “I also want to thank the officers of the Capitol Police, who stand on guard in this building every hour of every day. “We’re able to work in safety because of your efforts. “Mr. President, we live in a fallen world. “And there will always be men and women out there with evil intent. “And we are blessed to have so many heroic men and women willing to put their lives on the line to protect us. “To all of our nation’s law enforcement officers, today and every day, thank you. “And may God bless and protect you as you go about your work.”