U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), in observance of National Police Week, today commemorated the two Alabama law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2018. Senator Shelby co-sponsored S.Res.209, a Senate resolution designating the week of May 12-18, 2019, as “National Police Week” – a week in which Americans honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement officers.
“I am grateful for the unwavering service of our nation’s police force,” said Senator Shelby. “Law enforcement officers throughout the United States put their lives on the line each day in order to protect Americans. Every year during National Police Week, we recognize their selfless acts of bravery, and we remember the courageous officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. I send my sincere condolences to the families and friends of our fallen heroes in Alabama, Officer Billa and Officer Earle, and to those across the country.”
In 2018, the following two officers from Alabama were added to the Officer Down Memorial Page:
· Police Officer Justin Taylor Billa of Mobile, Alabama – Officer Billa served with the Mobile Police Department for two years and one month.
· Police Officer Keith O’Neal Earle of Huntsville, Alabama – Officer Earle served with the Huntsville Police Department for 25 years.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed that each year, the week of May 15 would serve as National Police Week. The week honoring our nation’s law enforcement officers was first established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and pays tribute to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A full schedule of National Police Week activities is available here.
Each year, National Police Week is made possible by the work of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, and the Concerns of Police Survivors.
