To Mark National Police Week, Spanberger Honors Fallen Virginia Law Enforcement Officers on U.S. House Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As National Police Week begins in Virginia and across the country, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today shared the names of Virginia law enforcement officers who have fallen in 2021 and 2022.

In her remarks, Spanberger — a former federal law enforcement officer — reflected on the service and sacrifice of the Virginians who put on the badge. And to remember their colleagues who have fallen, she read the names and affiliated departments of 13 Virginia peace officers who have been lost in the past few months.

“This week — all across the Commonwealth, Virginians will reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our neighbors and keep our communities safe,” said Spanberger in her comments. “They will honor those who continue to wear the uniform, and they will remember those who never returned home from their patrol. For Virginia’s spouses, siblings, parents, and children who have lost a loved one in the line of duty, this week is particularly difficult. And today on the House floor, I am honored to remember the officers who have fallen in 2021 and so far this year in 2022.”

Click here to watch her remarks, and a full transcript of her remarks is below.

—

Today — at the start of National Police Week, I stand here to remember the lives of Virginia’s fallen law enforcement officers.

As the daughter of a retired law enforcement officer and as a former federal agent, I know what it means to put on a badge.

And I know what it means to have a family member leave the house, concerned as to whether or not they’ll return. And, for far too many, that fear is realized when a loved one dies in the line of duty.

This week — all across the Commonwealth, Virginians will reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our neighbors and keep our communities safe.

They will honor those who continue to wear the uniform, and they will remember those who never returned home from their patrol.

For Virginia’s spouses, siblings, parents, and children who have lost a loved one in the line of duty, this week is particularly difficult.

And, today on the House floor, I am honored to remember the officers who have fallen in 2021 and so far this year in 2022.

Sergeant Frederick Henry “Butch” Cameron, Jr. of Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office; 

Police Officer Dominic Jared Winum of Stanley Police Department;

Sergeant Jose R. Rivera of Suffolk Police Department; 

Police Officer George Gonzalez, United States Department of Defense Pentagon Force Protection Agency; 

Police Officer Bonnie Nicole Jones, the Danville Police Department; 

Corporal Charles Wayne Catron, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; 

Captain James Anthony Sisk, Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office; 

Police Officer Michael D. Chandler, Big Stone Gap Police Department; 

Sergeant Malek Majzoub, Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office;

Police Officer John Painter, Bridgewater College Police Department;

Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson, Bridgewater College Police Department;

Police Officer Caleb D. Ogilvie, Covington Division of Police;

and Police Officer Trey Marshall Sutton, Henrico County Police Department.

Today, we remember these names on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. But they are already forever etched in the hearts of Virginia’s law enforcement officers — especially the men and women who knew them best and served alongside them. And, their families who mourn them and miss them.

Our hearts are with them as they remember their loved ones and reflect on their service — and we honor them.

On behalf of a grateful Commonwealth and a grateful country, I stand here to thank them for their heroism, the sacrifice, and their service.

My heart is with their families as we honor these fallen officers today and every day.

—

BACKGROUND

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

###