"Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe," a White House proclamation by President Joe Biden issued May 10 said. "Being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay."

it is who they are