Recognizes Fallen Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers

WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Police Week, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) spoke on the Senate floor to share his support of the law enforcement community and honor Arkansans whose lives were tragically cut short in the line of duty in 2020: North Little Rock Police Sergeant James Dancy, Helena-West Helena Police Officer Travis Wallace, Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins and Hot Springs Police Corporal Brent Scrimshire.

“Their deaths are tragic and call us to acknowledge their tremendous heroism and selflessness. They also invite us to appreciate the reality that the stakes of this occupation are a lot higher than most others – they are life and death. The perilous nature of policing and law enforcement is something we simply can’t underestimate or fail to respect,” Boozman said in the speech.

Click here to watch Boozman’s speech.

Boozman encouraged his colleagues to support policies and programs that improve law enforcement training and resources such as the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The program has proven vital to helping state and local law enforcement agencies purchase equipment and support training for officers. In Arkansas, Byrne JAG helps fund multi-jurisdictional programs like Drug Task Forces. In Fiscal Year 2021 Boozman helped secure $484 million for the program.

He also called on the Senate to pass the Protect and Serve Act, legislation that would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state or federal law enforcement officers with violence.