Press Release

May 14, 2014
During National Police Week, Cardin Renews Call For National Blue Alert

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement during National Police Week. He plans to give full remarks from the floor of the U.S. Senate later this week.

 

“This week, we commemorate National Police Week and those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while keeping the public and our communities safe. Some might take for granted more than 900,000 brave federal, state and local law enforcement officers who dedicate their lives to protecting our streets and our communities every day across Maryland and nationwide. I appreciate their service and dedication every day, but this week I join in publicly thanking each of these brave men and women – America’s Finest — who risk their lives on our behalf. 

 

“We especially must honor the fallen law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us could enjoy our families and go about our daily business with a common sense of peace and security. On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 58 hours, according to the National Law Officers Memorial Fund. I am humbled by the sacrifice these law enforcement officers have given for their fellow Americans.

 

“Each year, I hope that it is the last that we inscribe any new names on the National Law Officers Memorial. This year, we add Marylander Jason Schneider. A Baltimore County Police Officer who was just 36 years old, Officer Schneider was shot and killed in August 2013 while serving a search warrant at a home on in Catonsville. He was part of the tactical team that had entered the house in search of a subject wanted in relation to a shooting the previous week. The entry team encountered four subjects inside the home who attempted to flee. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Schneider returned fire and killed the subject. Officer Schneider was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Baltimore County Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

 

“Every day, federal, state and local law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect our communities. Unfortunately these officers can become targets for criminals and those seeking to evade our justice system and we must make sure our officers have all the tools they need to protect themselves and each other.

 

“On behalf of all of the law enforcement officers who have been killed or seriously injured protecting their fellow Americans in the line of duty, I have introduced the National Blue Alert Act, S. 357, which currently is backed by a bipartisan group of more than two dozen senators. 

 

“A National Blue Alert will encourage, enhance and integrate blue alert plans throughout the United States in order to effectively disseminate information notifying law enforcement, media and the public that a suspect is wanted in connection with an attack on a law enforcement officer.

 

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