Dear Representative ,

I am writing to petition your support for House Resolution 1073.

Presently, I as many other dedicated police officers, are working 12½ hours a day. We are part of the blue line standing between those who are trying to destroy our form of government and present way of life.

Unfortunately, the uniformed police officers in the job series GS-0083 are not recognized as Law Enforcement Officers until we pay the supreme price and our names are engraved on the memorial wall.

These officers work for such agencies as the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Customs, Border Patrol and Federal Protective Service. The officers that work for these agencies put their lives on the line every day, as did Federal Protective Officer Ronald Sheffield in Detroit, Michigan. Officer Sheffield was buried on September 26, 2001 with full police honors. Officer Sheffield gave his life to protect the employees and visitors at the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Office Building in Detroit.

Officers of the Department of Defense have to deal with domestic and workplace violence, assaults, homicides and suicides. Officers have given their lives responding to these incidents.  In all cases these same officers have to investigate the violations of the applicable federal and state laws. We carry weapons and wear badges, make arrests, go to court and testify. Our motto is the same as every other law enforcement agency whether city, county, state or federal "TO PROTECT AND TO SERVE". Yet we are not Law Enforcement Officers.

Recently President Bush and your colleagues in both the House and Senate have been addressing the issue of homeland defense. As you can see from this letter, my colleagues and I believe we have been already doing our fair share. We will continue to do so every day.

Thank you for taking the time from your schedule to read this letter. Please give serious consideration to HR 1073 and contact the Clerk of the House with your favorable decision.

Sincerely,