President Biden addressed the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the Capitol on Wednesday, paying tribute to police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
In remarks at the annual event, which is sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Biden highlighted the trip he took to North Carolina just a couple of weeks ago to meet with the families of fallen officers in Charlotte, Fox reports. Four law enforcement officers were killed, and four other officers wounded by a suspect who opened fire in a warrant-related gunfight on April 30.
"Every time you put on that shield and walk out of the house, your family wonders if that call will come, or if they'll get that terrible call somewhere during the day or night," Biden said.
The president spoke about some of the achievements his administration has prioritized to get more cops on the street, to invest in public safety, to pass gun control measures, and to protect first responders. He mentioned $350 billion included in the American Rescue Plan for states and cities to hire and retain police officers and pay benefits to disabled first responders, as well as $37 billion included in the Save America Plan to improve community policing.
Biden claimed violent crime is near a 50-year low thanks to "the extraordinary efforts" of law enforcement in communities across America.
