HONORING
SENATOR BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL (CO)
At the end of January, U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell — outspoken supporter of public safety officers and author of the legislation to build the National Law Enforcement Museum — will retire after a distinguished career in public service. Prior to serving more than a decade in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Campbell served in the U.S. Air Force, as a Deputy Sheriff, and in the Colorado legislature. He has been one of law enforcement’s strongest and most effective advocates during his entire congressional career. Please share our gratitude to Sen. Campbell by leaving your message in honor of his service and support of the NLEOMF.
>> Visit Sen. Campbell's website.
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Statement by The Honorable Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Congressional Record, December 7, 2004
As a former Sacramento County (CA) Sheriff's Deputy, I have, throughout my congressional career, zealously sought to ensure the safety and effectiveness of America's federal, state and local law enforcement officers. I have also worked hard to promote a better understanding and appreciation of law enforcement's extraordinary service and sacrifice by the American public.
Underscoring this commitment, I was proud to have authored a number of important laws, including the National Law Enforcement Museum Act (Public Law 106-492); the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 (S. 253); the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act; and the resolution passed each year to designate May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. I want to take this opportunity to also commend my Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Larry Vigil, for all of his good work in getting these important initiatives passed on behalf of law enforcement.
As I conclude my tenure in the United States Senate, I challenge my colleagues and those who will follow in my footsteps to continue this valuable and necessary work to support those brave individuals who are putting their lives at risk each and every day for our safety and protection. There are currently some 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving our nation. Each year, on average, 167 officers are killed in the line of duty-that is one officer killed somewhere in America every 53 hours. Roughly 58,000 officers are assaulted each year, resulting in about 17,000 injuries. It is the most dangerous profession in our nation, and also one of the most important.
An inscription on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, just a few blocks from here in a place called Judiciary Square, says it best: "In valor there is hope." As long as there are men and women among us who are willing to put their lives on the line for others, there is indeed great hope for this nation of ours. >> Read more of Sen. Campbell's comments.
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Tributes to Sen. Campbell
