WASHINGTON, DC – This week, law enforcement officers from Tennessee and across the country descended on Washington, D.C., to discuss crime and safety issues with their elected representatives, as well as to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty. On the House Floor last night, Representative Scott DesJarlais, M.D., spoke to “honor the valiant men and women in blue.”

    “Among the 145 fallen heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2016, six hail from the Volunteer State,” says the Congressman in his speech. He recognizes them individually in the below video:

Click to watch Rep. DesJarlais honor Tennessee police

    Following in the tradition of President John F. Kennedy, who in 1963 declared May 15 National Peace Officers Day, President Donald Trump declared the same on Monday. Police Week typically occurs in the surrounding days.

     Ceremonies and celebrations take place in communities nationwide. In Congress, Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04) supports several bills to ensure Tennessee’s finest have proper tools to do their jobs. Today, he will vote to add murder or attempted murder of a local law enforcement officer to a list of aggravating factors in federal death penalty cases.

    Tomorrow, he will vote to enhance protections for probation officers. Bills to hire more veterans as law enforcement officers and to increase officers’ cybersecurity training earlier passed the House of Representatives.

     “These measures have received bipartisan support, and I will continue to lead my colleagues to make sure the men and women in blue have all they need to keep themselves and civilians safe,” said Rep. DesJarlais.

    “We officially celebrate police officers this week, but our appreciation extends year round. They bring justice to victims of crime, and peace to our neighborhoods.”

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