Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia
As we recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), we pause not only to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across our country, but also to reflect on the vital role these men and women play in communities across Washington State.
Each day, Washington’s law enforcement officers stand as the thin blue line between safety and chaos — often under-resourced, frequently underappreciated, but unwavering in their commitment to serve. At a time when the challenges of recruitment and retention have reached crisis levels, it is more important than ever that we recognize their dedication — and recommit ourselves to supporting those who protect us.
Washington state has the fewest number of law enforcement officers per capita in the nation. Let that sink in. Fewer officers are covering larger areas, responding to increasingly complex calls, and doing so with limited backup and even more limited resources. This isn’t just a troubling statistic — it’s a stark warning sign of a system under strain. And it’s the officers, their families, and our communities who are bearing the cost.
I recently visited the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial, located on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Etched into the memorial are the names of brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Below their names is a solemn inscription:
“Their duty was to serve. Our duty is to remember.”
These are not just words carved in stone — they are a call to action.
Yes, we must remember — but we must also act.
Remembering means recognizing the sacrifice of our fallen officers and the families they leave behind. It means honoring those still serving with the respect, tools and training they deserve. And it means reversing the dangerous trend of underfunding law enforcement in our state.
Washington ranks among the worst states in the nation for both violent and property crime. We have the highest burglary rate in the country, and the most recent FBI report showed our homicide rate is rising. The lack of a full commitment to law enforcement makes both our communities and our officers less safe.
Supporting law enforcement is not a partisan issue — it is a public safety imperative. We must ensure departments across Washington have the personnel, resources, and community support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. We need policies that reflect not only our appreciation for law enforcement, but our responsibility to protect those who protect us.
During this National Police Week, I urge every Washingtonian to take a moment to thank a peace officer. Visit the memorial in Olympia. Learn the stories of those we’ve lost. And then join me in calling for meaningful legislative action to support law enforcement across Washington.
We owe our officers more than gratitude — we owe them our commitment to make their service safer and more sustainable. Because while their duty was to serve, our duty — still — is to remember.
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State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington state House of Representatives.
