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Congressional Daily Record
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May 13, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I rise during Police Week to honor the brave men and women in North Carolina and across the Nation who serve in law enforcement. Police Week is a solemn and humbling experience, as thousands of officers and their families come to our Nation's Capital and pay tribute to their fellow officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities.
officer's heroism and legacy of courage, selflessness, and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This kind of heroism and sacrifice is one far too familiar for North Carolinians who have heard stories of brave officers giving their last full measure of devotion while protecting our State. Today, I wish to list and honor five of these heroes that North Carolina has lost since last year's Police Week in May 2025.
profession, but rarely do civilians truly grasp the real risks borne by officers which exist even during “routine” parts of the job, even something as normal as transporting an inmate to a hospital to receive medical care can turn deadly.
Sheriff's Office in western North Carolina, was fatally shot when an inmate who was being transported for medical care took a detention officer's firearm during a scuffle. Officer Flattes was 56 years old and was shot by the inmate he was seeking to help. This story and others like it are sobering reminders of the true risks facing law enforcement everywhere. Officer Flattes is survived by his wife, who also served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, as well as his 6 children and 15 grandchildren. To them and to Officer Flattes, I rise to say thank you for their sacrifice and his heroism.
shares a story far too similar to Officer Flattes. Officer Smith was working in the WakeMed emergency department when a struggle ensued with an armed individual that left Officer Smith shot and wounded. Despite the best efforts of doctors, Officer Smith succumbed to his wounds later that morning. Officer Smith is survived by his two daughters, mother, brother, granddaughter, and long-time partner. Officer Smith previously served 16 years as a Knightdale police officer and as a volunteer firefighter, making his loss one felt throughout his community.
Davis, Jr. Trooper Davis was killed in a single-car crash on NC Highway 130 just after midnight when he lost control of his car before riding off of the road and flipping his vehicle upside down in a swamp. What is especially tragic about this loss is who Trooper Davis leaves behind; his young son, mother, siblings, and fiancee, all of whom have felt and shared a loss that escapes words. This tragic accident resulted in the death of a young trooper who loved his family, his community, and his career in law enforcement.
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry. Trooper Perry was killed when his patrol car was struck in a head-on collision by someone driving the wrong way at 3 in the morning. Trooper Perry was 30 years old and had served the State of North Carolina for almost 7 years when he was killed. He is survived by his then 9-month-old daughter. Because of one person's bad choice, the State of North Carolina has lost one of its finest sons.
Mitchell. Deputy Mitchell, like the other heroes mentioned before, was killed during what was a routine moment of his day. Deputy Mitchell was killed when he was struck by a driver going over 100 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone, who then crossed a dividing line and hit Deputy Mitchell. Deputy Mitchell was later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital immediately after the collision. He is survived by his expectant wife, his 2-year-old child, his parents, and his siblings. One of his brothers also serves with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. There are no words to fully express the heartbreak and loss these families have suffered, feelings that are only sharpened by the ordinary nature of what was happening when each officer died.
bestow upon these officers and families that can lessen their sacrifice or ease their pain, but what we must do no matter what is remain thankful for their sacrifice and honor the legacies of these men who died protecting our State and its people.
passage of the Protect and Serve Act, legislation that I introduced that makes it a Federal crime to intentionally harm, or attempt to harm, a law enforcement officer. It also gives prosecutors new tools to penalize criminals who target law enforcement.
for their communities, and they need our support now more than ever. The Protect and Serve Act is supported by law enforcement groups across the Nation, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Police Officers Defense Coalition, the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, and the Major County Sheriffs Association.
To every officer serving today: Thank you for your unwavering courage; you have earned our unending gratitude. To the families of the fallen: Your loss is shared by a grateful nation. We will never forget your loved one's service, nor their sacrifice. God bless them. God bless law enforcement. And may God bless the United States of America.