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Washington, D.C.—More than 100 employees of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and federal workers stood in the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Memorial last night holding glowing candles to honor federal officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The annual Vigil of Lights was held by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents thousands of frontline homeland security officers, and featured remarks from the union’s President Colleen M. Kelley and William Heffelfinger, CBP Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.

“The challenges faced by CBP personnel have increased dramatically in the aftermath of September 11. The risks that come with the mission of protecting our borders from illegal drugs, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism are great,” said President Kelley. The Customs vigil is part of NTEU’s three-day Legislative Conference, which convened yesterday and drew 300 union members from around the country.

A CBP Honor Guard began the ceremony by leading participants into the circular memorial enclosed by a wall with the names of more than 16,000 fallen federal officers. After President Kelley led the group in a moment of silence, Heffelfinger took the podium expressing the deep pride he felt working side-by-side with CBP employees who had volunteered for Katrina relief efforts, as well as the deep sorrow felt by the families of fallen officers.

“Their loss lives on long after the loved ones perish,” he said.

Heffelfinger joined Kelley in reading the names of 76 CBP employees killed in the line of duty as attendees formed two lines to have their candles lit by NTEU Chapter Presidents who are longtime CBP Officers.

Adding to the gravity of this year’s vigil is news of yet another dangerous situation—the third in little more than a month—involving CBP Officers in the course of their duties guarding the U.S. border. The incident occurred just two days ago at the U.S.-Mexican border crossing at Brownsville, Texas, when CBP Officers were forced to open fire on a suspected car thief who attempted to run them over and flee across the border.

“It’s astonishing that the government continues to deny CBP Officers law enforcement officer (LEO) status in the face of incidents like these, which clearly illustrate the dangerous, law enforcement nature of their jobs,” Kelley said, following the vigil.

The failure to grant CBP Officers the LEO recognition and benefits they deserve is not only an injustice to the officers, but is also a disservice the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the country. This demoralizing act impedes on the ability of DHS to recruit and retain the qualified workforce it needs to keep America safe. And with the debate over port security looming large, NTEU is urging lawmakers not to overlook this necessary factor for fulfilling DHS’s crucial security mission.

“CBP Officers have an already dangerous job compounded with the increased security threats of a post-Sept. 11 environment, and they are still without LEO status. It just doesn’t add up,” said Kelley. “There is no better way to honor the officers who died protecting our country than to extend LEO status to those who carry on their legacy.”

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing some 150,000 employees in 30 agencies and departments, including 14,000 in CBP—making NTEU the largest union representing CBP employees.