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Statement for the Record Honoring the Life and Service of Mendota Heights Officer Scott Patrick

May 13, 2015

Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Statement for the Record
Honoring the Life and Service of Mendota Heights Officer Scott Patrick
May 13, 2015

Ms. McCollum: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women serving this nation as law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. This week is Police Week where we reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the thousands of women and men who keep our communities safe and put their lives on the line on our behalf. For their courage, commitment and bravery, these women and men have my greatest respect.

Last year, the Twin Cities East Metro lost an officer in the line of duty when Officer Scott Patrick was gunned down in the line of duty during a traffic stop in St. Paul. Whenever an act of violence this senseless and tragic takes place, it shakes a community deeply. Officer Patrick’s loss is still felt each day by his family and his fellow officers on the Mendota Heights Police force. This week we join them in mourning the loss of their loved one and friend. On Wednesday, Officer Scott’s name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

The work that police officers and law enforcement officials do to keep our communities safe is often thankless and dangerous. As a society, we place an enormous amount of trust in those officers and they play a critical role in shaping the world we live in. Those who serve in law enforcement have my greatest respect for the work that they do to live up to and earn that trust in their communities.

As a member of Congress, one of my jobs is to make sure police officers have the tools they need to keep their communities safe while returning home to their families safely each night. Whether this means personal safety protection, body cameras or computer systems that they need we must consider doing more for law enforcement agencies. I am proud to say that I have been a champion for more effective communication between law enforcement officers and first responders throughout my time in Congress and I look forward to continuing that partnership with the police community. ­

This week, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring police week by remembering those officers who have given their lives in service of their communities.