By Joanna Putman
Police1
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden honored fallen law enforcement officers at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Washington, D.C., during National Police Week, WSAZ reported.
Speaking at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Biden commemorated the lives of four officers recently killed in North Carolina and extended his admiration to the families present.
“I admire your courage being here,” Biden said. “I hope you take comfort in the knowledge that you will never be forgotten.”
“Being a police officer is not just what you do, it’s who you are…” the president continued. “…this extended family [of other law enforcement officers] will always be here for you.”
According to a recent FBI report, 60 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year. The rate of assaults on law enforcement reached a decade high in 2023, with over 79,000 attacks reported, according to an Associated Press report.
“Police Week gives us an important opportunity to recognize and thank those heroes who walk among us — the men and women of courage and character who think of others before themselves, no matter the cost,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.