WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the floor today about the dedicated men and women of law enforcement in honor of National Police Week.

Remarks as delivered on the floor at 10:15 am

From May 15 through May 21, Americans will be recognizing those who serve and have served in police departments in communities from coast to coast.  Law enforcement personnel and their families will also be coming together to hold memorials for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. 

National Police Week holds special significance to me, because when I served as New Castle County Executive for six years I was responsible for a police force that worked day and night to keep our county’s communities safe.  Each year in May I would attend the memorial held by the Fraternal Order of Police that so ably represented them along with the family of the one member of our police force who had been killed in the line of duty.  I would often have differences with the Fraternal Order of Police in my six years of leadership, but I will tell you they were great and tireless partners in standing up for the working men and women who kept us safe each and every day.  They kept us focused on officers’ safety and kept us focused on providing for them the equipment and the training and support they so richly deserve. 

I’ll tell you that every week I would have a tough week, when we had difficult times dealing with local budgets or coming to compromise in making progress in the County, if I ever for a moment felt sorry for myself, all I needed to do was turn on the police radio in my county car and listen to dispatch.  There was always something going on.  As the squad cars responded to crises, I was reminded day-in and day-out of the incredible selfless service of men and women – these dedicated men and women – who sacrifice time away from their families to put themselves daily in harm’s way, and all too often it finds them. 

Since the beginning of 2009, 122 police officers lost their lives in service to their communities, and today I want to focus on one:  Patrolman Chad Spicer of Georgetown, Delaware.

A Georgetown native, Chad attended the Sussex Central High School and graduated from Delaware Tech in 1999.  Following four years with the Delaware Department of Corrections, he began service with the police department in Bridgeville and later in the town of Laurel.  In 2008, Chad joined the force in his hometown, fulfilling his greatest childhood dream. 

On September 1, 2009, Chad and his partner, Corporal Shawn Brittingham, were in pursuit of a vehicle containing suspects in a robbery.  The car abruptly stopped, and before the two officers had a chance to get out of their cruiser, a suspect fired a single gunshot at close range, killing Chat and, on a ricochet, seriously wounding his partner.  The suspects were eventually apprehended and have been brought to trial. 

Patrolman Chad Ernest Spicer was only twenty-nine years old when he was murdered doing his job.  He is survived by his fiancée, his beautiful young daughter Aubrey, his parents Ruth Ann and Norman, a brother, two sisters, and his family of fellow officers in Georgetown and across Delaware.  His funeral service was one of the most moving I have experienced in my adult life, as thousands of law enforcement professionals – men and women from literally across the country – gathered to pay tribute to this brave, likable, dedicated young man who gave his life in the protection of our community. 

Earlier this month, the people of Georgetown erected a memorial to Chad and to his courage and the sacrifice he made for all of us.   Georgetown Chief of Police William Topping noted that everyone in town knew him and liked him, even those from the roughest part of town, even those who were on the receiving end of his service to our community.  Chad died protecting the community where he was born and raised.  Losing him to violence like that had a devastating impact on the people of Georgetown and our whole state. 

Chad was the first Delaware police officer to die from wounds received in the line of duty since 1993.  His loss is a constant reminder that law enforcement officers all over America live with the daily reality that their lives may be put on the line as they serve their communities and our country. 

This is why, Madam President, I think it’s so important that the federal government continue to strengthen local police departments’ capacity through programs like the Bulletproof Vest Partnership, which helps local law enforcement purchase bulletproof vests and other police supplies.  It is so important to me that, when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together, we can always succeed in keeping Americans safe.  There is always more we can do, though.  This is why the Judiciary Committee will be holding a field hearing in June in Wilmington, Delaware, to explore ways we can improve the collaboration and cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. 

While we honor our men and women of law enforcement every day, during National Police Week we celebrate their service and sacrifice and thank them for being ever on the watch. 

Mr. President, in memory of Patrolman Chad Spicer and all other law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, today I stand in memory of their service. 

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