Tester Honors Montana Law Enforcement During National Police Week

Senator Recognizes the Sacrifice and Service of Deputy Mason Moore

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is honoring the service and sacrifice of Montana law enforcement officers by standing with them and their families during National Police Week.

Tester enshrined a statement into the U.S. Congressional Record to honor the late Broadwater County Deputy Sheriff Mason Moore, who will have his sacrifice and legacy memorialized this week at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Moore was shot and killed while responding to an early morning high-speed chase on May 16, 2017. He was one of 129 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2017.

“When others run from danger, Montana’s uniformed officers courageously face it head on,” Tester said. “During this week and every week, we thank you for putting your lives on the line to make Montana a safer place. God bless you and God bless your families.”

Tester’s statement also honors Powell County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Micu, Montana Highway Patrol Troopers Thomas Gill and Timothy R. Wyckoff, Sergeant Tim Berger, Lieutenant John O’Brien, and Officer Rich O’Brien of the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department, all of whom will be recognized as 2018 Top Cops for going above and beyond the call of duty on May 16, 2017.

On Sunday, May 13 a candlelight vigil was held to honor law enforcement officers lost across the nation in 2017.

Tester is sponsoring the bipartisan National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act to authorize the Department of Treasury to mint coins honoring the opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum and a resolution to officially commemorate Police Week and Peace Officer’s Memorial Day.

Tester’s full Congressional Record statement is below:

Mr. President, I rise today during National Police Week, to honor the thousands of uniformed Montanans who put their lives on the line to guarantee the safety and well-being of our families and the communities they call home.

Day in and day out they keep out drugs, provide justice for families shattered by crime, and ensure parents are secure tucking in their kids at night.
These law enforcement officers are well-trained, committed, and they deserve our deepest gratitude.

When others run from danger, they courageously face it head on. They bravely stand up to threats, and in the most tragic of circumstances, some make the ultimate sacrifice.

Last year, Montanans lost Deputy Mason Moore of the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Moore was a beloved son, husband, father, and brother. He had a strong faith and a deep commitment to Montana and this nation. His legacy lives on in his family, his fellow law enforcement officers, his community and our state.

Montana will never forget his dedication to service and his promise to keep all Montanans safe.

Tragic moments like this make us all stop and remember how thankful we are for the men and women who serve and protect our communities.

This National Police Week we add Deputy Moore’s name to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., to respectfully document his sacrifice and to preserve his legacy.

In addition to honoring the life and service of Deputy Moore, we recognize six outstanding Montana law enforcement officers who also responded on May 16, 2017.

Deputy Austin Micu of Powell County Sheriff’s Department, Troopers Thomas Gill and Timothy R. Wyckoff of Montana Highway Patrol, and Sergeant Tim Berger, Lieutenant John O’Brien, and Officer Rich O’Brien of Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department all went above and beyond the call of duty, and we honor them today as Top Cops.

During this week and every week, we thank you for putting your lives on the line to make Montana a safer place.

God bless you and God bless your families, and God bless America.