This week is National Police Week, and I was joined by Congresswoman Julia Letlow in introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. The resolution recognizes the 556 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022 or those whose stories were lost until now.

Police officers make up the thin blue line that protects our communities from crime. They dedicate their lives to defending innocent citizens from those who seek to do harm, and they provide critical public services that help make the lives of their neighbors easier. It’s of the utmost importance that we continue to honor those men and women who lost their lives in this noble pursuit.

This resolution expresses that the Members of the House of Representatives support our law enforcement officers, appreciate all they do for our communities, and honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I’m honored that the legislation was considered this week in the House and passed with overwhelming support.

Scripture tells us “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”

Our peacemakers make up the thin blue line that protects our communities from crime, and they dedicate their lives to defending innocent citizens from those who seek to do harm. It is of the utmost importance that we honor the men and women of law enforcement and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in this noble pursuit.

Former President Reagan once said, “There can be no more noble vocation than the protection of one’s fellow citizens… No group is more fully committed to the well-being of their fellow Americans and to the faithful discharge of duty than our law enforcement personnel.”

Law enforcement live by a creed to serve and protect. In the performance of their duties, danger is a routine part of their job, and we, on occasion, lose valiant men and women.

This legislation recognizes by name the 556 officers, 224 who were killed in the line of duty in 2022, and 332 others whose stories were lost until now.

Within this list are 9 brave Mississippians who lost their lives in service to their communities, including Meridian Police officer Kennis Winston Croom, who was killed in the line of duty in June of last year while responding to a domestic violence call.

Officer Croom and 555 other officers are brave heroes who laid down their lives to protect those they served.

Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, legislation that would:

• Acknowledge that police officers and law enforcement personnel, especially those that have made the ultimate sacrifice should be remembered and honored;

• It expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers;

• Recognizes the law enforcement community for continual unseen acts of sacrifice and heroism;

• It expresses condolences to the loved ones of each of the officers that made the ultimate sacrifice to their fellow man and gave their lives in the line of duty.

May God Bless our Peacemakers, and we ask His protection on them as they protect us.

Rep. Michael Guest is a Republican Congressman representing Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district since 2019.