The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marked Law Enforcement Appreciation Day by highlighting the work and sacrifices of its law enforcement officers. According to DHS, federal law enforcement has faced significant increases in violence, including a 1,300% rise in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% surge in death threats. The department attributes these trends to what it describes as "relentless, violent, and dehumanizing rhetoric from the media and sanctuary politicians."
Secretary Kristi Noem stated: “On this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am every single day for the men and women who put on the badge and put their lives on the line to protect the American people. With more than 80,000 officers and agents, our Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the federal government. We recognize the sacrifice you and your families make to protect and serve the American people and our great country. President Trump and I will always stand with you. Please take some time today to thank an officer or agent today. Make them a meal, buy them a cup of coffee, or simply thank them. To every officer who puts on the badge each day: Thank you. Your service is paramount to our nation’s safety.”
DHS emphasized that its officers deserve recognition for their service across communities nationwide.
The department also shared several examples from 2025 illustrating acts of heroism by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel:
- ICE Dallas officers rescued a driver from an overturned truck after witnessing a serious accident.
- ICE Denver’s Special Response Team pulled an unconscious man from a burning car following a multi-vehicle collision.
- ICE Philadelphia officers responded to a single-car crash where they rescued the driver and extinguished an engine fire.
- An off-duty ICE officer provided first aid to a man with a neck wound in Nuevo, California.
- In Philadelphia, an ICE deportation officer applied lifesaving measures after hearing gunshots nearby.
- An HSI special agent saved a stranded motorist moments before another vehicle collided with her disabled van in Huntsville, Alabama.
- HSI Rio Grande Valley agents assisted at the scene of a motorcycle crash near Brownsville, Texas.
- A supervisory HSI special agent detained a hit-and-run driver involved in multiple collisions in Washington D.C.
- HSI Rapid Response Teams supported rescue efforts during floods in San Antonio by conducting rescues and wellness checks along affected areas.
- Near Fort Hancock, Texas, an off-duty HSI special agent helped extricate an injured semi-truck driver after an accident.
DHS encouraged those interested in joining federal law enforcement to consider applying through join.ICE.gov.
