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Sen. Hyde-Smith honors fallen officers on Senate floor
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - On Tuesday, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith commemorated Mississippi police officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2018.
During remarks from the Senate floor in Washington D.C., Hyde-Smith honored four officers who are being memorialized in national ceremonies as part of National Police Week, including Brookhaven Police Department Corporal Walter Zachery Moak, Brookhaven Police Department Patrolman James Kevin White, Philadelphia Police Department Patrolman II LeAnn Simpson and Raleigh Police Department Police Officer Emmett Paul Morris.
“I join the families and communities of these four Mississippi officers in remembering their lives and expressing sincere gratitude for their service. Sadly, their sacrifice did not end our losses in Mississippi. Mississippians just yesterday, this past Monday, paused to mourn veteran Biloxi Police Officer Robert McKeithen as he was laid to rest after being gunned down outside the police station on May 5, 2019, last Sunday,” Hyde-Smith said.
Hyde-Smith also called attention to the recent death of Mississippi Highway Trooper Kenneth “Josh” Smith and more than 160 officers from around the country who died in 2018.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to help keep us safe, and any loss of an officer deeply affects entire communities. I greatly admire members of the law enforcement community who remain steadfast in the dangers of their noble profession. We acknowledge their brave service and fortify our support of their work to protect our families and our communities,” she said.