The Washington Examiner recently published an op-ed authored by one of our Law Enforcement Advisory Council members, Louis Quijas. Mr. Quijas served for more than 40 years in law enforcement. He served with the Kansas City (MO) Police Department, was Chief of Police in High Point, NC, and was Assistant Director of the FBI and Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security.
In his op-ed, he makes a strong case that the most important issue facing voters in November is public safety. And he provides a detailed accounting of "the devastating impact that the 'defund the police' movement has had on law enforcement agencies and communities across the country."
He also states, "Many of the candidates who have asked for our vote have forgotten that the No. 1 responsibility of any government is to keep its citizens safe. 'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' are only pipe dreams if law enforcement, our criminal justice system, and our elected leaders cannot ensure the safety and security of our citizens."
Mr. Quijas concludes in his op-ed, saying, “Over the last several years, I have posed a simple question to many: 'Do you feel safe?' I am sorry to say that the overwhelming response has been, 'No.' On Nov. 5, we all have an opportunity to do something about it and vote for candidates who will fight to restore public safety.”
In May of this year, we launched our weekly “Heroes Live Forever” podcast series that tells the stories of law enforcement officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The podcast is released every Tuesday and you can hear these audio tributes to our fallen heroes on Substack, the communications platform we use at CBB.
The podcasts (about five minutes in length) honor and remember some of the more than 24,000 officers whose names are inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Recent podcasts have honored U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Christopher Eney who was shot and killed 40 years ago during a training exercise, Washington State Corrections Officer Jayme Lee Biendl who was strangled to death by an inmate with “nothing to lose,” and Maryland State Trooper Wesley Brown who was a mentor for at-risk youth until his life was taken by a drunken coward.
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