Obama pays tribute to fallen deputy

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDTN) - President Barak Obama Tuesday paid tribute to one of Ohio’s fallen heroes as he spoke at the National Police Memorial. Below is a portion of the transcript of his speech.

And on New Year's Day, 2011, Deputy Hopper arrived at a crime scene and began a preliminary investigation, just as she had done many times during her 12 years of service. But as she was photographing evidence, a man opened the door of his trailer and fired at her with his shotgun, killing her. And today, we remember not just a fine officer, but a wife, a mother, and a stepmother.

Like all those we honor today, Deputy Hopper is also survived by the fellow officers who she meant so much to, and who meant so much to her. Last week, her childhood friend, Sergeant Kris Shultz, posted her flag at a memorial in Ohio. He made a promise in her memory. He said, "To honor her, we will keep going, and continue to do what we've done, no matter how hard it is at times."

We will keep going. There is no pledge that better honors the memory of those we have lost. And there are no memories -- there are no words that better capture the unbreakable spirit of those who wear the badge.