President Obama: 'Sergeant Anthony Beminio and Officer Justin Martin Represented Our Best...'

 

The President's Statement on the Shooting
of the Des Moines, Iowa Police Officers

Yesterday, two police officers put on their uniforms to serve and protect the communities they loved.  And early this morning, they were taken from us in shameful acts of violence.

Sergeant Anthony Beminio and Officer Justin Martin represented our best, most decent instincts as human beings – to serve our neighbors, to put ourselves in harm’s way for someone else.  They knew the dangers of their job.  They knew the risks.  Yet they chose to dedicate themselves to those values anyway.  So today, Michelle and I join Americans across our country in expressing our condolences and stand in solidarity with their grieving families, fellow officers, and the communities they served so honorably.

All across the country, our police officers go to work each day not knowing whether they’ll come home at night.  Their families live each day with the same fears.  So as Americans, we owe them our respect and gratitude for their efforts to safeguard our families and our communities.  And so as we once again mourn American police officers lost in the line of duty, we must also renew the call to match that same sense of service, that same devotion within our own lives and our own communities. 

Thankfully, that’s the Iowa I know well.  That’s what I’ve experienced every time I’ve visited Urbandale and Des Moines – good, big-hearted people who look out for each other and are willing to come together across our differences.  That’s the spirit we all must summon now not only to heal, but to honor the service of Sergeant Beminio, Officer Martin, and all the men and women who wear the blue. 

Statement by the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden

Tonight, the sun set in Des Moines and Urbandale with two heroes no longer here. Des Moines Sergeant Anthony Beminio and Urbandale Officer Justin Martin started the day as they always did, pinning the shield on their uniforms as they kissed their loved ones goodbye to patrol the streets while the city slept. They knew the risks, but they walked out the door because that’s who they were. Like law enforcement officers across the country, they were defined by duty, courage, and honor. They loved their cities. They would do anything for the people who counted on them.  But as we’ve seen too often, a coward with a gun in his hand and malice in his heart assassinated these two heroes in cold blood. And as we’ve had to do too often, Jill and I join the nation in mourning with their broken-hearted families and their grieving brothers and sisters in blue.

And yet even in our sadness, we’re still grateful for the swift actions of Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert, Urbandale Police Chief Ross McCarty, and their entire force who rushed to the scene and later quickly apprehended a suspect. We’re inspired by the people of the Des Moines area who’ve rallied together in unity and prayer. And we’re reminded that even in the face of evil, we are a nation still defined by goodness, by heroes like Sergeant Beminio and Officer Martin, by men and women in uniform across the country, who tomorrow morning as the sun rises, will live the words of Isaiah, “Here I am. Send me.”

May God bless Sergeant Anthony Beminio, Officer Justin Martin, their families, and all who loved them and may God protect our law enforcement everywhere.

 

Source: The White House, Offices of the Press Secretary and Vice President