08.08.21

Durbin: Chicago Mourns The Loss Of Our CPD Officer

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today honored the Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty, as well as the other officer currently hospitalized in critical condition.  During his speech, Durbin noted that the slain officer was just 29 years old.  She was assigned to the Community Safety Team, a special unit of officers from various districts who are pooled and sent to “hot spots” in the city. Durbin spoke about his support for keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally unstable individuals and for investments in law enforcement to help CPD better track the flow of illegal firearms into the City.

“Gun violence and gun death are daily threats in many neighborhoods…Sadly, it is increasingly a mortal threat to the Chicago Police officers who work in these neighborhoods,” Durbin said. “This latest fallen hero is the first Chicago Police officer killed by gunfire in more than two and a half years.  But, nearly 40 Chicago Police officers have been shot, or shot at, in the line of duty this year.”

Durbin continued, “Chicagoans mourn for the police officer who lost her life, and we are going to pray desperately for the recovery of the wounded officer. But, thoughts and prayers are not enough to end gun violence in Chicago  and nearly every community in America.  We all know that.  We need better laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, people with serious mental illness, and others who should not have them either.  America’s families, and police officers, deserve our best effort to make the streets safer in the City of Chicago.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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