This week, we recognized National Police Week by continuing our Thin Line Tribute initiative at Florida Highway Patrol Troop C headquarters in Tampa. I launched the Thin Line Tribute one year ago this month to recognize the courageous, and often thankless, job front-line officers do on a daily basis.

Along with their normal duties monitoring Florida’s roadways, the outstanding Troopers of Troop C are working extra hard to stop crimes emanating from the security breach at the southwest border. Recently, Troop C seized nearly $700,000 worth of heroin from illegal immigrants during a traffic stop on I-75. Since October, Troop C alone has investigated 14 cases involving suspects illegally transporting migrants or drugs into Florida.

Patrolling Florida’s interstates is grueling, risky work. Any stop or encounter could turn deadly. These courageous Troopers are true heroes. We often recognize them when something goes incredibly right, or tragically wrong, but not often enough are they recognized for showing up day after day, putting a badge on their chest, a gun on their hip and a bulletproof vest underneath their uniform.

These Troopers not only stand as the thin line of protection between chaos and order—they now serve as the last line of defense between the border security breach and the safety of our citizens. Troop C continues to play an important role in our mission to build a Stronger, Safer Florida.