This week marks National Police Week and as your Congressman I wanted to invite others to take a moment with me to stop and reflect on the sacrifice and dedication of our law enforcement. The sacrifices and accomplishments of our police and other law enforcement happen on a daily basis and deserve more than a week of recognition. Our officers deserve our acknowledgement and thanks for helping to prevent crime and for their continuous commitment to ensuring safe communities.
Texas lost a record number of officers in the line of duty in 2007, leading the nation in officer deaths nationwide. 2007 was one of the deadliest years for officers across the country since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors counted 186 officer deaths, up from 145 in 2006. An additional 61,000 officers are assaulted each year.
Over the last few years the risks faced by law enforcement in our part of Texas, particularly along the border, have greatly increased. As Mexican drug cartels vie for control of the lucrative drug smuggling routes along the US-Mexico border, violence has grown tremendously and lead to the deaths of more than 2,500 Mexican nationals last year. Of those killed, hundreds were law enforcement officers. I would like to recognize the sacrifice of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent Luis Aguilar, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year by a suspected drug smuggler. Agent Aguilar’s death is a tragic reminder of the risk faced by all the law enforcement along our border.
Federal law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Customs and Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) work along side our local police and sheriff’s departments and they too deserve our thanks.
As first responders, law enforcement personnel not only respond to the needs of our local communities but also to the needs of our country. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your bravery and for keeping us safe.
***
Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-Texas), who represents a part of east El Paso County, serves as a Member of the House Veterans Affairs and House Appropriations committees.
Hilton Alligood
May 15, 2008
Let me recount what happened to me the one and only time in my life I ever called the police to ask for help.I was the victime of an assualt I was 18 years old at the time.The officer showed up and immediately began to harras me.I explained that I was the one who called for help,and told him how I had been assualted.He said to me "there's no crime here,that's all your kind deserves"he then drew his gun,stuck it in my face and told me to "Go back to the reservation"I am 3 quarters white and 1 quarter American Indian.I did not grow up on a reservation.Why did ihe say that? It sad,but officers like that are the rule,not the exception.I never was able to find an officer to take my police report.I tried.to no avail.CRIMINAL!!!!!!!!!
Brandon Stone
May 15, 2008
The ATF?
The same ATF who has tried desperately to throw firearm owners in prison for malfunctioning firearms (John Golver, David Olofson)?
The same ATF who has been trying to wipe out honorable firearms dealers over arbitrary technical violations (Red's Trading Post)?
The same ATF that launched a paramilitary raid on a religious community for publicity (Waco)?
The same ATF that stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a company, then flaunted it on the pages of The Wall Street Journal (Cavalry Arms)?
The same ATF that shows no shame in their arrogance by ordering themselves Leatherman knives engraved with "Always Think Forfeiture"?
The same ATF that Congress found to spend 75% of its time entrapping innocent people on technical violations?
That ATF? Give thank? I don't think so. This "Law Enforcement Agency", as some call it, is little more than a cult of thugs ("Jack-Booted Fascists" as Rep. John Dingell called them) . They are about to push American Gun-Owners to the breaking point. Wanting them to be thanked, honored, or safe is counter to peace and justice.
Sincerely, Brandon Stone
CD'A, Idaho
lv
May 16, 2008
"To Protect and Serve?" its more like, "To Divide and Conquer!"
john
May 17, 2008
the dea is america's gestapo, it is the U.S version of the secret police. We may be forced to give up our constitutional rights in pursuit of the war on drugs, but don't ask me to salute these nazis