Landrieu Honors Louisiana's Peace Officers

Press Release

Landrieu Honors Louisiana's Peace Officers

United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today honored Louisiana's peace officers at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. Earlier in the morning, Sen. Landrieu met personally with members of the New Orleans and Gretna Police Departments, including NOPD Officer Andres Gonzalez, a 25-year old five-year veteran of the department, who was shot and paralyzed in a routine traffic stop last May.

Sen. Landrieu will tomorrow meet with four members of the Baton Rouge Police Department who served with Corporal Chris Matternich. Corporal Matternich died in a motorcycle accident in the line of duty last August, and his family was in attendance at today's ceremony.

"Our police officers, sheriffs and other peace officers provide the first and last line of defense against crime," Sen. Landrieu said. "It is because of brave officers like Officer Gonzalez and Corporal Matternich that we feel safe at night. His story is tragic, and I will continue to fight to make sure that none of our officers is taken for granted. Every time they knock on a door or make a traffic stop, they are putting their lives on the line for our communities, and we must make sure that if they are injured or killed, then they and their families are taken care of."

This week is National Police Week, and today's ceremony was a tribute to all peace officers that were either injured or killed in the line of duty.

Source