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[Page S179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO BRANDON BARNHILL
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, when Paducah Police Chief Brandon
Barnhill announced last October that he would be retiring at the end of
the year, we knew he would leave large shoes to fill. During his 20
years with the department, including the last 5 it at the helm, Brandon
helped develop a statewide reputation for excellence. Now, as Brandon
retires to pursue new opportunities, I would like to take a moment to
thank him for his service to the city of Paducah and the Commonwealth
of Kentucky.
Brandon graduated from Murray State University and earned a master's
degree from Andrew Jackson University. It was at the Murray Police
Department that Brandon began his noble vocation in law enforcement. He
spent 3 years there before joining Paducah's police force in 1998.
Every day, Brandon wore the badge with pride. Out of love for his
community, he faced down danger with integrity and professionalism. Our
Commonwealth is blessed with an abundance of brave men and women who
put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow citizens, and
Brandon fulfilled his duty with distinction.
It didn't take long for his potential to be recognized in Paducah.
Promoted to detective the year after joining the department, Brandon
continued to earn the respect of his colleagues both in Paducah and
throughout the State. When the previous police chief announced his
retirement in 2013, Brandon became the best choice to lead his
colleagues to preserve the peace.
Brandon's leadership has helped place the Paducah Police Department
among the most respected law enforcement organizations in Kentucky. One
of his major initiatives was to strengthen the partnerships between the
department and the local community. Brandon recently said he was
particularly proud of the ``Chief's Community Forum,'' a way to receive
feedback on the perception of policing in the city. Throughout his
service, Brandon became an example of integrity and credibility in law
enforcement, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police named him
the Chief of the Year in 2016.
In recent years, I have had the privilege to work with Brandon to
bring increased Federal law enforcement resources to Paducah in support
of the work already being done there to combat the substance abuse
epidemic. In 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation both committed to open new offices in Paducah
and to dedicate assets to a partnership with State and local law
enforcement. Brandon and the men and women of the Paducah Police
Department were, of course, integral to this effort to keep our
communities safe.
At his retirement celebration, Brandon was greeted with an outpouring
of support and gratitude from the community he had spent two decades
serving. I would like to take this opportunity to add my voice to those
congratulating him for his remarkable success in Paducah. With his wife
Renee and their children, Natalie and Reese, I wish him all the best in
his next adventure. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in thanking
Chief Brandon Barnhill for his leadership at the Paducah Police
Department.
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