Lincoln Pays Tribute To Arkansas’s Fallen Police Officers

Washington – In recognition of National Police Week, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln today paid tribute to Arkansas’s fallen law enforcement officers, including five officers killed in the line of duty whose names have been inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. this year. The names of the five officers will be read tonight at the 22nd Annual Candlelight Vigil, which takes place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

 “Along with all Arkansans, I recognize the courage, bravery, and dedication of our Arkansas law enforcement officers, who risk their lives each day to keep our citizens safe,” Lincoln said. “National Police Week is a time to honor and remember these law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind. I thank these public servants for their service and sacrifice.”

In honor of Arkansas’s fallen officers, Lincoln submitted the following statement to the Congressional Record:

“M. President, I rise today in honor of National Police Week to recognize the courage, bravery, and dedication of Arkansas’s law enforcement officers, who risk their lives each day to keep our citizens safe. In particular, I pay tribute to five fallen officers from our state whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The officers, their departments, and their dates of death are:

JOHN A BRATTON, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, February 1, 1887

H.L. SMITH, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, February 1, 1887

JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER CANNON, Plumerville Police Department, June 19, 2009

LARRY NEAL BLAGG, Trumann Police Department, January 27, 2009

HENRY JORDEN WILLEFORD, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, November 16, 2009

“Along with all Arkansans, I thank these officers for their service and sacrifice. It is a fitting tribute that the names of these officers have been etched on the Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. I now yield my time.”