Newhouse Leads Washington Delegation in Honoring Local Law Enforcement
“Our men and women in law enforcement deserve nothing less than our full support.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led a Special Order with the Washington delegation to honor the two officers recently killed in Washington state: Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha and offer appreciation, respect, and support for law enforcement officers across the nation.
Members from across the Evergreen State stood together to talk about the rash of recent killings and the need for communities to come together to back our men and women in blue.
“Our men and women in law enforcement deserve nothing less than our full support,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am deeply concerned with the anti-police policies Governor Inslee has implemented and continues to consider. While there have been positive steps taken to roll back some of this legislation, there is still much progress to be made at the state and federal level. We have to fully fund our police departments and provide them with the necessary resources to do their important jobs…Police officers around the country are dedicated to protecting us and defending the liberties we hold dear. Law enforcement officers selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to protect Americans, preserve the peace, and maintain law and order. They are truly heroes in blue, and we owe them our respect and support.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
“For years, these two men, like so many others, put on the uniform each day, hugged their kids and kissed their wives, and went to work to keep us safe not knowing if they would ever walk back through the door at the end of the night,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). “Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart breaks for their grieving families and the families of the other 685 officers killed in the line of duty since 2021. We must do better. This is the United States of America, and we cannot allow these assaults on our law enforcement to continue. We must fund the police and give them the resources they need to keep us safe and make sure they make it home safe at the end of the day.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
“I want to take a moment to say to our men and women in blue: we stand in solidarity with you. I recognize it is no easy feat to get up every morning, put on your uniform, kiss your loved one goodbye, and not know the dangers that could lie ahead just in that day,” said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03). “And I know this because you've told me how disheartening it is when people call to abolish or to defund law enforcement or when politicians who have no clue what it's like to walk in your shoes pass laws that make it more difficult for you to do your job which is to protect our families and our communities.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
“Every day police officers put themselves in danger to keep our communities safe and every day they and their families face the risk that they might not make it home to their loved ones,” said Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08). “This is why it has been such a priority of mine to meet with police officers and police chiefs to thank them for their work and to learn how i can help support them and keep them and their community safe.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
“Police officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “Sadly, our state has lost far too many officers. There's more we must do to support police and first responders across the country.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
“I myself have called upon the police department a few times in my neighborhood for help, for assistance, and just for presence. They have always responded and without question. Officer Rocha made an incredible impact on a short time at the Everett PD serving as an officer for the last four years,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02). “Ten years ago, he landed his dream assignment as a patrol officer in North Everett, and on the day he passed, Officer Rocha was doing the job he loves: serving and protecting the community.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
“I rise today to recognize our law enforcement officers across Washington state and to honor those who were killed in line of duty,” said Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). “I want to personally thank our law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to keep our community safe despite staffing shortages and increasingly too often, the expense of their own safety.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
“Deputy Calata admirably served his country and our community. I had the honor of attending his celebration of life in Tacoma and it was clear from the hundreds of emergency vehicles and the thousands of Washingtonians who showed up that first he was just a really good person, and second that our communities value the work of our law enforcement officers,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “Hearing the stories about how he supported other people how he encouraged others, how he brought smiles to people's faces, how he had just a zeal for service—it was a reminder of the best of us. Our communities enjoy safety and security because of the commitment of our law enforcement officers and our first responders. That's a commitment that we should return as we continue to support and ensure the safety of those who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
Click here to watch the Special Order.
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