Trump and Vance Send Strong Message at Police Memorial Ceremony [WATCH]

Vice President JD Vance delivered the keynote address Thursday at the 44th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service, held at the U.S. Capitol, honoring law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The ceremony was attended by family members, colleagues, and supporters of the fallen.

The 44th Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service is underway. Vice President @JDVance is the keynote speaker pic.twitter.com/A8flrtQrs8

— Nick Gilbertson (@Gilbertson_DC) May 15, 2025

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Second Lady Usha Vance joined the vice president at the event, along with several top administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Border Czar Tom Homan.

“In America, we honor the men and women who recognize the value of a peaceful, orderly society and who have chosen to devote their lives to preserving, as the president said, that fragile barrier between civilization and chaos,” Vice President Vance said during his remarks.

“Today, of course, we mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of that duty,” he added.

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Vance acknowledged the sense of duty that drives men and women to serve in law enforcement and underscored the values they uphold.

“They woke up each and every morning. They put on their uniforms, they said goodbye to their loved ones, and they stepped into the unknown. They ran toward danger when others would flee. They didn’t hesitate, they didn’t waver. They stood tall when others could not,” Vance said.

“Those officers upheld the rule of law. They fought for that line between civilization and chaos, so that freedom could remain more than a promise; it could be the reality of day to day life in this country, the foundation of our prosperity, and the foundation of American Greatness.”

Addressing the families of the fallen, Vance offered words of comfort and solidarity.

“I want to speak directly to all of those personally mourning here today: your loss is our nation’s loss. Your grief is our grief. Your heartbreak is our heartbreak. You all feel their absence with a depth and level of pain, of course, that I can’t possibly begin to comprehend,” he said.

“But I’m here today to tell you that our administration, and I believe the whole of the American community, stands with you, both as fellow citizens, but also as beneficiaries of the ultimate sacrifice laid down by your loved ones.”

Vance stated that the names of the fallen would not be forgotten and that their actions continue to inspire Americans across the country.

“Their names will never be forgotten, nor will their heroic act of service, which inspire our nation and fill us with great purpose,” he said.

President Donald Trump, currently concluding the third leg of his Middle East tour, shared a video message with those gathered in Washington.

“Today, on Peace Officers Memorial Day, we especially honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our laws. Last year, 147 officers gave their lives in the line of duty. That’s some high number, so terrible, so terrible,” the president said.

“They were some of the great and very best among us. We cherish their memories, and we wrap our arms around the beautiful families that they left behind,” he continued.

President Trump also reiterated his executive order that directs the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing law enforcement officers.

The mention of the order received applause from the crowd in attendance.

👮‍♂️ With a cop siren in the background, Trump draws cheers with his message at a law enforcement memorial service:

“On my first day in office, I signed an executive order directing Department of Justice to seek the death penalty for any criminal who murders a police officer.” pic.twitter.com/z73J854icj

— Hudson Crozier 🇺🇸 (@Hudson_Crozier) May 15, 2025

The annual memorial service is held in conjunction with National Police Week and honors officers who lost their lives in the previous year.

The event remains one of the largest annual gatherings of law enforcement officials and their families in the nation.

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