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WASHINGTON — In honor of National Police Week, Speaker Johnson hosted a candlelight vigil in the U.S. Capitol today to pay tribute to fallen police officers and commemorate their service to our nation. Speaker Johnson was joined by families of fallen officers and members of the House Republican Conference.

“This year, the names of 345 fallen heroes will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. They join more than 24,000 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Speaker Johnson said. “These men and women are the first to run toward danger, to stand on the lines of justice, and to put themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us don’t have to. Most of us will never see the quiet heroism that defines this work. And though we owe these brave Americans an unpayable debt, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their service.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here.

Read below for the transcript of Speaker Johnson’s remarks:

There's a lot of things going on on Capitol Hill today, but we certainly want to pause and give honor where honor is due. It's a biblical admonition, and one we take very seriously. We gather this week, as we do every year to honor our nation's law enforcement officers and all those who have fallen.

I come from a first responder family and understand that sacrifice. My dad was a firefighter. When I was 12 years old, he was burned in the line of duty - 80% of his body - third degree burns and permanently disabled thereafter. And in that fire, his co-captain and his one of his dearest friends perished in the fire.

First responders take on a risk that most people can't imagine, and we know it well. But when it comes to law enforcement, there truly are fewer callings that could be imaginable and demand more courage and carry more risk than the people who pledge to serve and protect and defend everyone else. It is a noble calling. It's a calling by God, and one that is often thankless and always demanding.

People take for granted the risk that is taken on. And these men and women who are first to run towards danger, to stand on the lines of justice and to put themselves in harm's way, they do that, so the rest of the public doesn't have to.

Most people will never see the quiet heroism that defines that work as our communities go about their lives under the shelter of the protection of our brave men and women in uniform. And we can sometimes take for granted that they too will just return home each night, that they'll go home safe and sound to their families. But on some fateful days that does not happen, and that day changes everything, of course. And that day is why we are here.

This year, the names of 345 fallen heroes will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. They join more than 24,000 officers who have made the same ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

And for each of you, there are some of the families here. There is a name on that memorial that stands out, a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, a friend, a son, a daughter. That's who we remember today; not just what they did, but who they were. And no amount of words or wreaths can heal the hole in each family member's heart that's left behind.

But I do hope that these families find some comfort in knowing that millions of Americans grieve with them. We certainly do. And though we owe you an unpayable debt, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have our prayers, and you have our support, and we'll have your back.

To Ashley and Kelly and to you and the families here today, we're humbled by your courage. We thank you for being here to share your story. And I want to introduce one of the House's own staunchest advocates for law enforcement. He is a congressman, but I still call him the sheriff, and that's Mr. John Rutherford.