Last week, Americans across the country observed National Police Week, honoring the brave men and women who serve our communities and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
National Police Week was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to recognize the selfless service of law enforcement officers and pay tribute to our fallen heroes. But the truth is, one week is not enough to thank the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe.
Every time a police officer pins on a badge, they make a decision most Americans will never fully understand. They choose to walk toward danger while others run away from it. They choose long nights, missed holidays, and the constant uncertainty of whether they will return home safely to their families. They do it not for fame or fortune, but because they believe in service, duty, and protecting their fellow Americans.
That sacrifice deserves more than ceremonial recognition. It deserves unwavering support from our elected leaders, our institutions, and the American people.
That is why I will always stand with law enforcement.
In honor of National Police Week, my Republican colleagues and I passed two important resolutions in Congress. House Resolution 96 expresses support for the men and women of law enforcement, while House Resolution 1252 memorializes those killed in the line of duty.
These resolutions are more than symbolic gestures. They are statements that Congress recognizes the courage, sacrifice, and essential role law enforcement officers play in preserving public safety and the rule of law.
As a former prosecutor, Army intelligence officer, and Congressman representing Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, I have worked closely with police officers, sheriffs, Border Patrol agents, ICE officers, and first responders throughout my career. I have seen firsthand the burdens they carry and the dangers they confront every single day.
As part of National Police Week, I had the privilege of meeting with officers from across Arizona’s Congressional District 8 and beyond. It was an honor to host them in my Washington office, hear their concerns, and listen to their stories. They also shared their victories, victories that too often go unnoticed by the national media and political class.
The reality is that crime is down thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement officers and strong conservative leadership focused on restoring law and order. New data shows America is safer than it has been in over a century. In fact, reports indicate the murder rate in 2025 reached its lowest level since at least 1900. That did not happen by accident. It happened because brave officers continue to show up every day despite enormous challenges and relentless political attacks.
Unfortunately, in recent years, America has witnessed a dangerous anti-police movement gain traction in many parts of the country. We saw reckless calls to defund police departments. We watched anti-law enforcement rhetoric spread through the media, college campuses, and even legislative chambers. Officers who dedicated their lives to protecting others suddenly became political targets.
The consequences were very predictable.
When law enforcement is undermined, criminals become emboldened. Families stop feeling safe in their own neighborhoods. Businesses flee. Communities deteriorate. The people hurt most are often working-class Americans and minority communities that rely heavily on effective policing and safe streets.
America cannot remain strong if the people tasked with enforcing the law are treated like enemies by their own leaders.
That is why I have proudly supported our local law enforcement in tangible ways, including memorializing fallen Phoenix Police Officer Zane T. Coolidge and successfully leading the fight against the weaponization of the Department of Justice targeting the Phoenix Police Department. Our officers deserve leaders who will stand beside them, not politicians looking to score points by tearing them down.
Supporting law enforcement does not mean pretending every institution is perfect. It means understanding that the overwhelming majority of officers are honorable public servants trying to do an incredibly difficult job under extraordinary pressure. It means believing in accountability through due process and the rule of law, not mob outrage or blanket condemnation of an entire profession.
It also means standing unapologetically with Border Patrol and ICE agents who work tirelessly to defend our sovereignty and protect American communities from dangerous criminal organizations. These agents face relentless political attacks simply for enforcing federal law. Yet every day, they continue risking their lives to stop traffickers, smugglers, gang members, and fentanyl dealers from entering our country.
At a time when there is so much hate directed at our law enforcement officers by progressive radicals, it is more important now than ever that we celebrate National Police Week and simply “thank a cop.”
The brave men and women who protect our communities every day deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our steadfast support. They have earned it.
And as long as I serve the people of Arizona in Congress, they will always have an ally fighting for them in the Halls of Congress. We must always back the blue.
Abe Hamadeh represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees