Washington, DC - In an event honoring the memory of Officer David March of Santa Clarita, who was murdered by a suspect who fled to Mexico, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will call on Mexico to reconsider its policy of not extraditing criminals who face either the possibility of the death penalty or life in prison without parole. 

Following is the text of Senator Feinstein's statement for the event on Saturday in Santa Clarita:

"When an officer is killed, it affects all of us, reminding us that there are a few in our society who are unbound by any code of decency.

The vicious killing of Deputy Sheriff Dave March is especially difficult because, in this state and this community, we are unable to hold Dave March's alleged killer accountable.

So we are left to mourn Dave March's loss, with the added pain of knowing that his killer is free.

Cop-killers cannot be allowed to evade justice. And Mexico cannot become a safe haven for hard-core criminals and cop-killers.

Right now, Mexico 's extradition policy actually encourages people committing serious crimes in the United States to flee to Mexico and escape just punishment.

The Mexico Supreme Court has decided that it will not extradite someone who may face a life sentence in this country.

That is not fair. When someone commits a crime in this country, they should be held accountable by this country's laws.

I have introduced a Senate resolution, S.Con.Res. 79, which calls upon the President of the United States to take steps to renegotiate the treaty so that fleeing felons are returned to the United States for prosecution.

I have also learned that President Vicente Fox may introduce legislation to reform the criminal justice system in Mexico. I urge him to introduce an amendment to the Mexican Constitution which would allow Mexico to extradite individuals who face life sentences in the United States.

I urge President Fox to work within his legislative system to make this change because it is fair and it is just. When people commit serious crimes in this country, they must face the consequences here.

David March's family deserves justice. We cannot forget the sacrifice David made. And for that, I will continue my efforts in his case and the countless others because it is the only right thing to do."

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