Today is a very sad day for our Department.  On behalf of all of us at the Department of Commerce, I offer my deepest sympathy to the family of Lawrence Buckner, the Protective Security Officer assigned to Census, on their loss, and thank him and his family for his heroic and selfless service.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

To all of our Census employees and our Commerce family, please know that your service to our country is valued and honored.  The entire Department is committed to the safety and security of all our employees, and officers like Lawrence Buckner are our first line of defense.  We honor his service and sacrifice for our Nation.