Vance Leans Into Scripture, Urging Crowd to ‘Remember’ LEOs Who Answered Call to ‘Their Last Breath’ – RedState

It’s Police Week, reminding Americans of the importance of law enforcement officers in our country and the crucial, often thankless service they provide to all of us, every day of the year and every hour of the day.

In honor of Police Week, Friday morning, the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) held an annual memorial service – now in its 45th year – remembering officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The event, officially known as the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, serves as a solemn pause to provide sacred space for loved ones and fellow officers. It takes place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, on Judiciary Square.

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This year, Vice President JD Vance spoke at the service hosted by the National Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliaries. Before his speech, FOP shared brief interviews on his X account with some members of the Auxiliary. One member in particular seemed, at least to me, to embody the tone and purpose of the memorial event: Glenda Lehmann, president of the National Fraternal Order of Auxiliaries of Police.

Glenda explained that she was there to support the families, which she called an “honor,” and that she is “truly honored to help honor” these heroes who have served our nation’s communities. She also said it was important for them to live up to the organization’s motto that they “ensure their families never walk alone” in their grief:

When asked what it meant to help welcome survivors to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Glenda Lehmann reflected on the heart behind this work.
“It is an honor. I am truly humbled to be able to pay tribute to those who have served our communities and made the ultimate sacrifice. More… pic.twitter.com/mjsOstLowr

– National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) May 15, 2026

As we go, the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is relatively new, having been dedicated in 1991. (You can take a virtual tour of it at this link.)

Vice President Vance opened his speech by sharing a moving teaching of Scripture from Isaiah 6:8, connecting it to the call to service that every police officer, man and woman, answers:

“In the Old Testament, God does not force Isaiah to serve him. Isaiah knew it would not be easy, but he committed himself willingly… He accepted God’s call to give his life in service to his neighbor, and today we remember the men and women in uniform who gave their lives to respond… pic.twitter.com/SOmUHfxYou

– Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 15, 2026

The passage, spoken by the prophet Isaiah while inside the Temple in Jerusalem, reads:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am.” Send me! (NIV)

Vice President Vance said of the Old Testament phrase:

I think it speaks volumes about the sacrifice, duty, and sense of purpose that every law enforcement officer carries with them into their job.

[…]

My friends, we gather this afternoon to remember the men and women who hear the exact same call, the men and women whose selflessness led them into danger while others fled, the people who said, “Send me,” not “Send me someone else,” but “send me,” people whose service was a way of life, not a burden.

He went on to salute the character of these individuals for whom “service was a way of life,” to their loved ones and cherished communities, from the first time they donned the badge until “the moment they took their last breath.”

In a second clip, the vice president expanded on the biblical analogy:

JD Vance joined thousands of survivors, officers and supporters at the 45th National Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
A solemn reminder that their service will never be forgotten and that their families… pic.twitter.com/8gF0O3jVzH

– National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) May 15, 2026

We need reminders as a nation that supporting our law enforcement officers is a no-brainer. Not from the left. This was certainly not the default setting under the former White House during the presidency. Biden’s mandate. This is something the Trump administration has worked to correct since the first year of the new administration.

The most obvious change from the Biden White House was the cessation of the war on cops in Trump’s first 100 days 47. Blue state Democratic lawmakers were urged by Biden-era mandates to find “alternatives to arrest” – even when violent criminals were involved. Trump also gutted regulations that prevented our law enforcement officers from having lawful relationships with suspects.

The Ministry of Justice under the direction of the President. Biden has embarked on an orgy of criminal prosecutions of police and firefighters across the country. With the stroke of a pen, Pres. Donald Trump ordered the new DOJ team to cancel the dogs. Another element of rebuilding trust between the federal government and first responders has been the pursuit and abandonment of woke and DEI mandates in hiring policies. These also ended from 2025.

One crucial change that many readers are well aware of is the influx of federalized national guards in parts of the country that have been all but abandoned by Democrats. As I’ve written previously, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro didn’t mince words about how much the improvement was, once local police knew someone had their back.

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The nation’s capital posts astonishing crime figures, much to the chagrin of the left

Each of us must recommit ourselves. We cannot forget the ultimate sacrifices of these heroes and their family members who never had the chance to welcome them home again. They deserve our love and prayers for God to strengthen them in days like this.

Check out this week’s Washington Watch! https://t.co/WqSIusCsLF pic.twitter.com/EFJVOMwa5R

– National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) May 15, 2026

Never forget. 🇺🇲💙 pic.twitter.com/GUOMTIzEE5

– Betsy Brantner Smith (@sgtbetsysmith) May 15, 2026

Editor’s note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.

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