Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) on Thursday participated in House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) “Back the Blue Bike Tour” in Washington, D.C. to show support for law enforcement during National Police Week.

GOP members of Congress rode their bikes from the U.S. Capitol to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, where they laid wreaths in honor of fallen officers from their respective districts.

“It was an honor to join my colleagues in this ride to show support for our law enforcement officers. It’s more important than ever right now to show respect and appreciation for those courageous enough to step up to the task of serving as a police officer,” Palmer said in a statement.

“These days, the media and radical left activists rush to cast police officers in the worst light,” he continued. “But the vast majority of law enforcement are honorable men and women with a genuine desire to protect their communities. I rode this morning in their honor and in solidarity with the family and colleagues of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to protect others. I thought particularly of the late Officer Nick O’Rear, a young officer from my district who fell in the line of duty last year. Officer O’Rear and the other men and women who gave their lives or were injured in the line of duty are true heroes. The men and women serving in our police departments across the nation deserve our support and gratitude. I’m proud to stand with our nation’s police officers and hope many people take the time to thank them for their service during this National Police Week.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn