Murkowski Honors Fallen Alaska State Troopers on Senate Floor
Senator: Alaska is “Shocked and Saddened” at Tragedy in Tanana, Shares Confidence of Strength of the Community
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Lisa Murkowski today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate, honoring the memories of Sergeant Patrick Johnson and Gabriel Rich of the Alaska State Troopers – the two peace officers that were shot and killed in the line of duty last week in Tanana.
After recounting their heroism and selfless sense of duty to her Senate colleagues, she then spoke to the strength of the Tanana community, saying:
Tanana is a community of about 280 people. It sits at the confluence of the Yukon and Tanana rivers. It is a strong community. It's a resilient community. But it is a community that is truly suffering right now.
(Click picture to view Senator Murkowski’s floor speech)
Murkowski then shared the biographies and personal stories of the two peace officers, emphasizing that Alaskans should remember them foremost for how they lived, not how they died – before closing her speech by saying:
Sergeant Johnson and Trooper Rich were known to those who watched the popular National Geographic series "Alaska State Troopers." Undoubtedly, those who have watched the two in action are also grieving the loss, along with the people of Tanana and all of Alaska.
I think I speak for all in this body when I say that we are shocked, we are saddened by the events in Tanana last week, and on behalf of a grateful Senate, a grateful nation, I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to all who held Sergeant Johnson and Trooper Rich deep in their hearts.
