(The Daily Signal) — During Police Week, GOP leadership will honor law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Sunday night, Majority Whip Tom Emmer illuminated his office with blue lights shining out of his office windows on the ground floor of the U.S. Capitol. The visual tribute will last all week.
“I am proud to continue the tradition of lighting up our Capitol office blue to express House Republicans’ gratitude to the brave men and women of law enforcement,” Emmer told The Daily Signal.
Emmer has carried out this tradition for four years now, since becoming majority whip in January 2023. In past years, Majority Leader Steve Scalise has also changed the lights in his office to blue, honoring police officers.
“Our conference will always back the blue, despite the Left’s attempts to defund and demoralize police forces across America,” Emmer continued. “During National Police Week—and every week—we recognize our officers’ hard work, bravery, and sacrifice,” Emmer concluded.
Democrats have forced the second LONGEST shutdown in history to defund the police, reopen the border, and stop illegal immigration enforcement.
House Republicans REFUSE to let Democrats jeopardize our country with their crazy policies.
That’s why we're voting AGAIN to fully… pic.twitter.com/dDhKrntfQQ
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) March 28, 2026
This year’s police week comes as Democrats are continuing their call to “defund the police,” even after years of it being a proven failed policy. Congress just managed to reopen part of the Department of Homeland Security, after nearly 80 days, though it still has more work to do to convince Democrats to fund immigration services and Secret Service officers.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, law enforcement deaths in 2025 hit an 80-year low, a 25% decrease compared to 2024.
“Each of the 111 fatalities we publish in this report represents a selfless sacrifice made on behalf of the community and the nation in which they serve,” said National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Bill Alexander.
As of now, there are roughly 700,000 law enforcement officers sworn into service nationwide.
A powerful day at the White House—welcoming officers, their families, & the loved ones of the fallen.
This National Police Week, we honor the heroes who run toward danger, the families who stand behind them, & those who never came home.
WE WILL NEVER TURN OUR BACKS ON YOU. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PQbEMZdCI0
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 15, 2025
The nation’s capital has been honoring law enforcement officers throughout the week. On Wednesday, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial held its 38th annual candlelight vigil on the National Mall. On Thursday, the group held a police vehicle parade featuring classic restored cars and motorcycles at the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool.
On Friday, the group held the 45th annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., from noon to 3 p.m. The week will end with fundraiser games at Nationals Park, where the Washington Nationals will play the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and Saturday nights.
Emmer also hosted his annual “Pizza for Police” lunch at the Capitol this week.
In just three days, families will gather at the Memorial.
For Dominique Pelletier and her sons, that name is Trooper Aaron Pelletier (EOW 5/30/2024)—a devoted father and officer who lived to serve.
Thanks to the @MSIFoundation there’s a 4x match.
Give: https://t.co/v7azwi50Na pic.twitter.com/9fsaerDECx
— National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (@NLEOMF) May 8, 2026
This article was originally published by The Daily Signal.
