SENATOR SHAHEEN HONORS FALLEN OFFICER STEPHEN ARKELL

(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) honored the memory of fallen Brentwood Police Officer Stephen Arkell on the Senate floor this afternoon. Arkell was tragically killed yesterday in the line of duty.

Senator Shaheen’s remarks as prepared for delivery are included below:

Floor Remarks on Officer Stephen Arkell 

May 13, 2014

Madam President – it’s with great sadness that I rise today to honor the memory of Brentwood Police Officer Stephen Arkell.

Officer Arkell’s life was tragically cut short yesterday while responding to the call of duty – the same call of duty that he had courageously answered a countless number times over the course of his career. 

A fifteen year veteran of the Brentwood Police Department, Arkell served as a part-time officer as well as the animal control officer for the town where he was born and raised. 

And like all of our first responders, his commitment to protecting our community was unparalleled. 

That commitment was integral to keeping our families, our children, and our communities safe every day. And that same commitment, and his sacrifice, is something New Hampshire will never forget.

Stephen Arkell’s life and career epitomized the heroism of our first responders for which we will be forever grateful. My thoughts and prayers today are with his family – his wife, his two teenaged daughters – his loved ones, the Brentwood Police Department, the entire Brentwood community, as well as all of New Hampshire’s entire law enforcement community. 

I hope they can take solace in knowing that all of New Hampshire joins them in both mourning Officer Arkell’s loss, but also celebrating his selfless service and sacrifice on behalf of our state.