Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke are joining police officers from across the nation in honoring fallen officers during the 2017 National Police Week. Secretary Kelly and Deputy Secretary Duke are participating in Police Week events to thank law enforcement officers and their families for their important role in keeping our nation safe.
“Tonight, we remember our fallen brothers and sisters,” Secretary Kelly said at the Police Week Candlelight Vigil. “We pay tribute to their strength, honor their courage, and comfort those they left behind. Each name is an officer who went to work one day, and never came home. Each one is a hero. But make no mistake—they are not heroes because of how they died. They are heroes because they lived lives of bravery, honor, and compassion.
“Behind each name engraved in marble are the loved ones left behind. Their watch has not ended. Their grief endures. They visit the memorial and leave tokens of remembrance under the watchful eye of the bronze lions.
“To those of you who made the pilgrimage here tonight—and for those of you who are watching at home—thank you. On behalf of our nation’s leadership, on behalf of the law enforcement family, and on behalf of the citizens these officers served, thank you. Your fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, colleagues, and friends are the best of our humanity. We will keep them in our hearts forever.”
In Memory of
Border Patrol Agent Manuel A. Alvarez, 37
Border Patrol Agent José D. Barraza, 29
Deportation Officer Brian P. Beliso, 34
U.S. Marshal Pat Carothers, 53
Border Patrol Agent David Gomez, 44
HSI New Orleans Special Agent J. Scott McGuire, 41
Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr., 36
Highlights from the 2017 National Police Week can be found below:
On Monday, May 01, Secretary Kelly attended Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Fenway Park in Boston.
(DHS Photo/Jetta DIsco)
On Tuesday, May 02, Secretary Kelly attended the Blue Mass Ceremony at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, DC.
On Friday, May 12, 2017, Secretary Kelly and Deputy Secretary Duke participated in the Federal Protective Service Wreath Laying Ceremony in Washington, DC.
(DHS Photo/Barry Bahler)On, Monday, May 15, Secretary Kelly delivered remarks at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Police Week Ceremony as well as the Police Week Candlelight Vigil.
On Monday, May 15, Secretary Kelly participated in the National Peace Officers Memorial service at the U.S. Capitol.
On Tuesday, May 16, Secretary Kelly delivered remarks at the Customs and Border Protection Valor Ceremony. Secretary Kelly and Deputy Secretary Duke also had the opportunity to meet with family members who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
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