Latest news with #NationalLawEnforcementOfficersMemorialFund
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why flags will be lowered in Louisiana Thursday
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Gov. Jeff Landry ordered flags to be flown half-staff Thursday, May 15, in honor of fallen officers for Peace Officers Memorial Day. An executive order signed Monday ordered U.S. and Louisiana flags to be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol and public buildings until sunset Thursday. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund announced the 345 fallen law enforcement officers added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in 2025. Three Louisiana officers who died while in the line of duty have been engraved. Russell R. Coxton, Dubach Police Department Segus R. Jolivette Sr., Lafayette Police Department Alfred E. Kelly Karlton, Tangipahoa Parish Constable's Office Proposed bill would create memorial to honor fallen Baton Rouge officers Peace Officers Memorial Day falls during National Police Week. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a resolution calling for increased health and safety measures for law enforcement. The legislation urges Congress to support officers' safety and well-being through more policing personnel, improved training and equipment, tougher penalties for the assault or killing of an officer, and increased mental health resources. 'As hostility toward police officers grows, threats to their safety increase. We must support those who risk their lives daily to protect our communities,' Cassidy said. Leaders from Louisiana associations for sheriffs and police chiefs voiced their support for the resolution. 'We endorse this resolution's call for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well being of our law enforcement professionals. Our officers deserve the full support of the communities and the nation they so faithfully serve. Let us honor their service not only with words but through concrete actions that empower them to continue their essential work. We would like to thank Senator Cassidy for being the author of this resolution and for his continued support of Law Enforcement.' Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Fabian Blache 'Efforts like your resolution that bring greater awareness and appreciation to the sacrifices of our officers goes a long way in helping our sheriffs and police chiefs recruit and retain our forces. At the same time, it also builds a greater community understanding and appreciation which is critically needed for law enforcement work.' Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Kevin Cobb 'I am completely dead now': Indiana man's humorous, self-written obit reflects on brushes with death 'The Office' spinoff is coming, but when? Gov. Jeff Landry issues executive order supporting student-athlete NIL payment in Louisiana Why flags will be lowered in Louisiana Thursday Democrats heap scrutiny on Trump jet gift: 'It is gross, it is reckless, it is corrupt' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Our men and women in blue deserve Congress's support
As a member of Congress and a former sheriff, I have an intimate understanding of the ongoing challenges facing American law enforcement at every level. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 148 law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels died in the line of duty in 2024. In addition, law enforcement agencies across the country continue to experience an increase in retirements and resignations, as well as significant challenges in recruiting qualified officers. On top of that, the stressful nature of law enforcement makes law enforcement officers more susceptible to mental health issues. Expanding and enhancing officer safety and wellness and community education programs are key to addressing these issues. You might be wondering what Congress can do to address the persistent challenges facing our nation's law enforcement. One thing we can and should do is invest federal dollars in programs that have a proven track record of effectively promoting officer safety and wellness, and enhancing community engagement with law enforcement. Fortunately, this kind of programming already exists. Working through the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has developed an impressive array of programs designed to promote officer safety and wellness and bring law enforcement officers closer to the communities they serve. Congress created both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum to honor and support the law enforcement community and educate the public about the vital importance of law enforcement in a democratic society. In addition, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is the only national law enforcement organization created by Congress, and both the Memorial and the Museum were built with private dollars. Unlike other museums created by Congress, the National Law Enforcement Museum receives zero federal dollars for its programming. The life-saving and educational programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum are just as crucial to the nation as other museums that receive federal support. If Congress can provide annual funding through the U.S. Department of Interior to museums that focus on issues such as building design, Asian art, American folklife, tropical research and biodiversity, then certainly Congress must and should provide annual funding for programs that promote officer safety and wellness and positively engage the public with law enforcement. That's why earlier this year, I reintroduced legislation, the bipartisan National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. This bill currently has more than 80 co-sponsors, and would establish within the Department of Interior a formal program whereby the secretary of the Interior would provide annual support to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to support and enhance the community outreach, public education and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum. The National Law Enforcement Museum is uniquely qualified and positioned to fulfill the vital mission of educating the public about the key role played by law enforcement in our democracy, strengthening the bond between communities and law enforcement, promoting officer safety and wellness, and promoting quality scholarship on law enforcement history. It is my sincere hope that this bipartisan bill will move forward in Congress and be signed into law as soon as possible. Troy E. Nehls represents the 22nd District of Texas and is a member of the Judiciary Committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Our men and women in blue deserve Congress's support
As a member of Congress and a former sheriff, I have an intimate understanding of the ongoing challenges facing American law enforcement at every level. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 148 law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels died in the line of duty in 2024. In addition, law enforcement agencies across the country continue to experience an increase in retirements and resignations, as well as significant challenges in recruiting qualified officers. On top of that, the stressful nature of law enforcement makes law enforcement officers more susceptible to mental health issues. Expanding and enhancing officer safety and wellness and community education programs are key to addressing these issues. You might be wondering what Congress can do to address the persistent challenges facing our nation's law enforcement. One thing we can and should do is invest federal dollars in programs that have a proven track record of effectively promoting officer safety and wellness, and enhancing community engagement with law enforcement. Fortunately, this kind of programming already exists. Working through the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has developed an impressive array of programs designed to promote officer safety and wellness and bring law enforcement officers closer to the communities they serve. Congress created both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum to honor and support the law enforcement community and educate the public about the vital importance of law enforcement in a democratic society. In addition, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is the only national law enforcement organization created by Congress, and both the Memorial and the Museum were built with private dollars. Unlike other museums created by Congress, the National Law Enforcement Museum receives zero federal dollars for its programming. The life-saving and educational programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum are just as crucial to the nation as other museums that receive federal support. If Congress can provide annual funding through the U.S. Department of Interior to museums that focus on issues such as building design, Asian art, American folklife, tropical research and biodiversity, then certainly Congress must and should provide annual funding for programs that promote officer safety and wellness and positively engage the public with law enforcement. That's why earlier this year, I reintroduced legislation, the bipartisan National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. This bill currently has more than 80 co-sponsors, and would establish within the Department of Interior a formal program whereby the secretary of the Interior would provide annual support to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to support and enhance the community outreach, public education and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum. The National Law Enforcement Museum is uniquely qualified and positioned to fulfill the vital mission of educating the public about the key role played by law enforcement in our democracy, strengthening the bond between communities and law enforcement, promoting officer safety and wellness, and promoting quality scholarship on law enforcement history. It is my sincere hope that this bipartisan bill will move forward in Congress and be signed into law as soon as possible. Troy E. Nehls represents the 22nd District of Texas and is a member of the Judiciary Committee.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Law enforcement honor fallen officers at Kansas Statehouse
TOPEKA (KSNT) — Several law enforcement agencies gathered at the State Capitol Thursday to honor several officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Kansas law enforcement agencies held their annual candlelight vigil inside the Statehouse on May 1. The memorial service was in honor of National Police Week. Officers from across the state and their loved ones gathered in downtown Topeka. Before the vigil, there was a ride for the fallen, and people surrounded the memorial on the lawn outside the Statehouse. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, nearly 150 officers across the country were killed in 2024. Sarah Meeks told 27 News she has waited 48 years to see her husband's name on the memorial, and she was finally able to. 'It's amazing. And I see another name that I recognized, that I knew his wife for years,' Meeks said. 'And it just makes your heart tingle just to see it all.' The Kansas Law Enforcement Ceremony ends at 12 p.m. Friday, May 2, with a wreath-laying ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Colorado fallen officers added to national memorial in Washington, D.C.
DENVER (KDVR) — A group of fallen officers from Colorado is part of 345 officers that have died in the line of duty from around the country, to be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund announced in a press release on Friday. Rockies game at Coors Field postponed due to snowy weather The names of the officers will be engraved on the walls of the memorial in Washington, D.C., until the end of April. Then, on May 13, the 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil will be held at the National Mall between 4th and 7th Street at 8 p.m. 'As we gather once more to honor our fallen officers, we're reminded not only of the lives they gave, but of the unwavering devotion that led them to serve,' said William Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in a press release. 'Their courage and selflessness continue to guide us—they embody the very spirit of law enforcement. This solemn moment is a time to grieve, to remember, and to ensure that we carry their legacy forward with gratitude and purpose.' The 2025 Roll Call of the Heroes will feature the names of official Line-of-Duty Fallen Heroes, which includes 148 federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2024. Other officers from previous years, whose cases were approved by the Memorial Fund's research department, will also be inscribed. The Memorial Fund said that there was a 25% increase in officer deaths in 2024 than the previous year. However, of the total 345 names being added, 197 are from previous years after the research staff confirmed the circumstances of their deaths and that they had a record in law enforcement services. Each year, an estimated 30,000 people will attend the vigil, with family, friends and community members gathering to honor the lives of the fallen officers. After the addition of the fallen officers in 2024's memorial, a total of 24,412 officers' names will be engraved at the memorial site. Lawsuits filed over student visa revocations in Colorado The officers from Colorado include: Stuart E. Holt, Boulder County Sheriff's Office — End of watch: 6/2/2014 Lucien Morgan, Chaffee County Sheriff's Office — End of watch: 5/12/1881 Christine Guerin-Sandoval, Colorado Department of Corrections — End of watch: 9/28/2023 Dale Coski, Denver Police Department — End of watch: 9/26/2024 Evan A. Dunn, Golden Police Department — End of watch: 11/6/2024 George L. Smith, Rico — End of watch: 6/3/1882 A complete list of names of the group to be enshrined in 2024 and more information can be found on the Memorial Fund website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
