WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today paid tribute to the more than 19,000 law enforcement officers who have laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens. This year, 362 names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and among those names were three brave officers from Kansas: David Enzbrenner of Atchison; William Bloomfield of Bourbon County; and Andrew Balfour of Kiowa County.

 

Earlier today, Sen. Moran attended the 31^st annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service, held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Since 1962, May 15th has stood as a day of remembrance for the many fallen police officers who faithfully served our communities and our country.

 

Excerpts from Sen. Moran’s remarks can be found below, along with links to video downloads.

 

• “Earlier today, I attended a special memorial service to honor thousands of law enforcement officers who laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens. They must never be forgotten.” 

 

• “Just five months ago, Kansans were grieved by the loss of another officer – Sergeant David Enzbrenner of Atchison. On December 9, 2011, David joined a fellow officer on a routine call to see a local resident. As they were turning to leave the front step of the home, a person suddenly appeared and opened fire on David without warning. This act of violence was unprovoked and forever robbed the Enzbrenner family of their father and husband, and the Atchison community of a loyal public servant.”

 

• “Last December, I witnessed the impact David had on the local community when I attended his memorial service and more than 2,000 people gathered to pay their respects to him.”

 

• “During the service, many moving tributes were read about David and how he lived his life. But one that stood out from among the others was a statement from David’s wife, Kerri. She said this about her husband: ‘David was a man of few words. He always tried to keep life simple. And when I questioned things, he would remind me that it’s ok sometimes not to understand.’ We don’t fully understand why David’s life was taken, nor why the lives of the more than 19,000 officers we remember today ended so soon. But we want to express our deepest gratitude for their service and dedication to our communities and to our country.”

 

• “During National Police Week, we also remember their families and the loved ones they left behind. May God comfort them in their time of grief and be a source of strength for them. May He also protect all those who continue to serve us today.”

 

• “I want to especially mention David Enzbrenner’s wife, Kerri, and his three teenage daughters, Avery, Abbi and Celia. I want them to know that we honor the way David lived his life and tell them that we love and care for them today and always.”

  

FTP LINK:  Click here to download the video of his remarks. (Save to your desktop.)

 

YOUTUBE:  Click here to watch the floor speech on YouTube.

 

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