This Friday is the first National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
The grassroots movement is intended to counter negative sentiments toward law enforcement by asking the public to show their support.
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Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) spoke before the House of Representatives calling on Americans to think about the service and sacrifice of law enforcement.
Some people are taking part in the day of appreciation by wearing blue, thanking local officers and replacing a white porch light with a blue one.
Read Fitzpatrick’s comments:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our nation’s law enforcement professionals: the first responders, Capitol Police here in the nation’s capital who keep us safe, and those who answer the call of duty to serve and protect the families and friends throughout our great nation.
Just after 7pm on Sunday, December 14, Baltimore police officer Andrew Groman and his partner made a routine traffic stop outside a west Baltimore gas station. Moments later, three shots were fired from the backseat of the car – one striking Officer Groman in the abdomen, just below his bullet proof vest.
As other officers chased the suspect, Officer Groman’s partner rushed him into the hospital where he was forced into emergency surgery. His family was called in from Pennsylvania to be by his side.
You see, Mr. Speaker, Officer Groman is a Bucks County native – his family still lives in my congressional district. A former Bucks County volunteer firefighter, Officer Groman had moved to Maryland to continue his service, this time in law enforcement.
While I am happy to tell you that he is recovering well, it is terrible to think that he, just as easily, might have been killed in the line of duty. Attacked while performing his duty, which was his passion: to serve and protect. Conjuring names from our area like Daniel Faulkner, Brian Gregg and Brad Fox who also gave the ultimate sacrifice.
While Andrew’s Bucks County roots bring this story close to home for many in my district, the sad truth is that we know the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers is a dangerous, and sometimes deadly, job – and one that, sadly, often goes under appreciated.
Our nation’s Blue Line – the first responders, local, state, federal police and law enforcement professionals – often represent the height of both heroism and humbleness. While I take every opportunity I can to meet with, hear from, and thank those who protect the communities in which we live – I am always left wishing there is more to be said than a “thank you.”
This week, we are proud to participate in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – the effort of a number of partnering organizations committed to raising awareness and showing appreciation for the more than 780,000 officers who serve and protect our neighborhoods, friends and families nationwide.
This week, on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, there is opportunity for all of us to show our support for those who wear blue and to recommit ourselves to the ideals and laws of our nation that they are tasked to uphold.
Together, we can address the challenges our nation faces head on – without partisanship, division or hate.”
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