For Immediate Release
5/07/07

Sen. Scarnati
Sen. Rafferty

Senator Joe Scarnati Speaks at
Police Memorial Ceremony

We gather today to attempt the impossible…to sufficiently honor law enforcement officers who gave their lives protecting our communities.

It's difficult to do with words alone. Numbers help paint the picture.

There have been 687 police officers within this Commonwealth killed in the line of duty, and the many more have been injured on the job.

On Sunday, the names of 145 law enforcement officers killed nationwide in 2006 -- as well as 237 others who died in prior years -- will be officially added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Each officer represented by those numbers left behind loved ones. They left grieving children and families, and they left behind whole communities that were diminished by their absence.

Beyond the numbers, names help us comprehend the sacrifice. Names like Corporal Joseph Pokorny.

Just last week, people gathered in Allegheny County to honor this state trooper, who was struck down during a traffic stop. Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor renamed a portion of Route 279 the "Corporal Joseph R. Pokorny Jr. Memorial Highway."

All killings are tragic, and cause pain to families and communities. However, when a law enforcement officer is struck down, we rightfully treat it as an especially profound loss.

An attack on a dedicated public servant, such as Corporal Pokorny, is an attack on the community as a whole – an attack on the rule of law, and civility. It shakes us to the core. It also reminds of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day.

Protecting the community is a dangerous job. Corporal Pokorny's life was taken in the early morning hours of December 12th, 2005. It was during a traffic stop, which, statistics show, can be a dangerous encounter for law enforcement officers.

As we speak, somewhere nearby, or across this Commonwealth, a police officer is approaching a car with unknown occupants. Let's keep them in our thoughts and prayers as this deceptively dangerous scenario is played out, hour after hour, day by day, in communities across Pennsylvania.

Perhaps the best way to honor the men and women who wear the shield is to stand with them every day. To craft laws that give them the tools to fight crime as safely as possible. To remember the next time we're pulled over that it may be a temporary annoyance for us, but something much more for the officer.

To the men and women in blue, and all the other colors of the uniform, I say "thank you" on behalf of a grateful Commonwealth.  I pledge to you and your families that we will work to make your job as safe as possible.

To the families of fallen officers…words can't adequately express our sympathy, or the respect we hold for those heroes.  May God bless you, and all the men and women in uniform.

THANK YOU