Speaker Johnson Leads Candlelight Vigil in Honor of Fallen Officers

WASHINGTON - During National Police Week, Speaker Johnson hosted a candlelight vigil on the steps of the U.S. Capitol today to honor fallen police officers and commemorate their service to our local communities. Speaker Johnson was joined by Rep. John Rutherford, families of fallen officers, and House Members.

"To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back. We'll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers," Speaker Johnson said.

Watch Speaker Johnson's remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson's remarks as delivered:

Good evening, everyone. We want to thank you all for being here on this very somber occasion. Why are we gathered here this evening? Well, the Scripture tells us to give honor where honor is due, and today we're here to honor the service and the sacrifice of America's law enforcement personnel. We are here because every American who lives in freedom and safety has a duty to remember the story of those who provide it for us. That story-the story of American law enforcement-is one of honor and duty sacrifice, and it deserves to be told and repeated again and again at this moment in our country and its history.

It's not lost on anyone that we're living through some troubling times. In the last few months, just the last few months we've seen yet another attempt on the President's life. We've seen repeated attacks on synagogues and churches. We've seen horrific, heartbreaking tragedies like the one that struck my own hometown in Shreveport, Louisiana just several weeks ago, and took the lives of eight innocent young children. One act of unspeakable violence. There is a battle right now between good and evil, and we all feel it.

And in spite of the darkness, every American town and city is undeniably safer and stronger because of that thin blue line. We owe our nation's law enforcement everything because they sacrifice everything to stand guard against evil and protect all of our communities. I come from a first responder family myself, and I understand the sacrifice personally. My dad was a firefighter and nearly lost his life to severe burns that left him permanently disabled for the next 32 years of his life. That sacrifice, the sacrifice that our first responders make, is one that is born by their entire family, and we can never forget the burden that they carry.

I'm reminded today of Officer Marc Brock, an extraordinary young man, a police officer from Vivian, Louisiana in my district. In November, Officer Brock was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant. He was just 25 years old, but he touched countless lives through his service to our community and through his volunteer work. And he leaves behind Kambreigh, his beautiful fiancé, and a family who loved him immensely. I was honored to host Kambreigh and Officer Brock's mother, Shirley, as my guests for the State of the Union this year. Officer Brock's death is a somber reminder of the tremendous risks our law enforcement officers take every single day.

Joining us today here is another proud law enforcement family represented by Linsey Timmins and her daughter, who you'll hear from shortly. Officer Tyler Timmins served in the Pontoon Beach Police Department just outside of St. Louis. While responding to a suspected stolen vehicle on October 26, 2021, Tyler was ambushed and killed by a repeat felon in an illegal possession of a weapon. Today, he leaves behind his lovely wife, Linsey and their daughter Chloe. Tyler made the ultimate sacrifice, and today we honor his selfless service and the service of more than 23,000 fallen officers who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back. We'll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers.

While even one officer killed in the line of duty is too many, we are thankful to report that law enforcement deaths hit an 80-year-low in 2025. That represents a 25% decrease from 2024 to 2025. We're working to make our streets safer for American families, and we will continue to support the men and women who are on the front lines of cleaning them up. Our pledge is to support you in word and deed, and we will work hard to ensure that those who are tragically no longer with us are never forgotten.