A commitment to law enforcement
President welcomes Phoenix police, fallen officer’s family to White House
The family of fallen Phoenix police Officer David Glasser attended a White House ceremony Monday as President Donald Trump declared May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the surrounding seven days Police Week.
Glasser’s wife and son were accompanied by various sworn members of the Phoenix Police Department, as well as representatives from the Ulster County Sheriff Department in New York and New Jersey state troopers.
A White House proclamation released Monday said that Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week were to honor the men and women of law enforcement who have been
killed or disabled in the line of duty.
“Police officers are the thin blue line whose sacrifices protect and serve us every day, and we pledge to support them as they risk their lives to safeguard ours,” the proclamation read.
Glasser, 35, was a 12year veteran of the department when he was shot during a gunbattle on May 18, 2016. Glasser died the following morning.
The gunman, 20-yearold Israel Santos-Banos, was fatally shot as well.
According to a White House press statement, 118 officers died in the line of duty in 2016, and 66 of those were killed during attacks.
The proclamation said the Trump administration will “continue to further the efforts of the Department of Justice to improve the lives of law enforcement officers and their families.”
This would include supporting the Officer Safety and Wellness Group, and accelerating the benefits process for the families of fallen officers.
Trump called on local jurisdictions to fly the American flag at halfstaff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, and urged private businesses and citizens to do the same.