Biden delivers remarks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The Service honors law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
He referenced his late son Beau’s Army service and repeated a common line about how loss feels like a "black hole in the middle of your chest." Beau Biden died from glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer, in May 2015 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Beau served a tour in Iraq from 2008 to 2009.
Biden said, "I hope you take comfort, and knowledge that their sacrifice will never be forgotten."
The president spoke about some of the achievements his administration has prioritized to get cops on the street, invest in public safety, pass gun control measures and protect first responders. He mentioned $350 billion included in the American Rescue Plan for states and cities to hire and retain police officers and pay benefits to disabled first responders, as well as $37 billion included in the Save America Plan to improve community policing.
Biden also touted his executive order on policing and reforms to mental health public services.
Members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department salute during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
"The decline in crime shown in the quarterly data — if realized — would be historically large," Asher wrote in December. "To put some of this in perspective, a 4 percent decline in the nation’s violent crime rate relative to 2022’s reported rate would lead to the lowest violent crime rate nationally since 1969."
The FBI will release an annual report on crime rates later this year.
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During his remarks, Biden emphasized his administration's gun control initiatives.
"The historic steps taken to support you, to stop the flow of illegal guns, to hold gun traffickers accountable for crime. It matters, and it matters a lot," Biden told the gathered law enforcement officers, adding, "There's still much more to be done."
Fox News' Nick Rojas contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
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