Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
______
HON. DON BACON
of nebraska
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 17, 2019
Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor May 15, 2019 as Peace
Officer Memorial Day and May 13 through the 19, 2019 as Police Week. I
stand in support of those who put their lives on the line, day in and
day out, for the protection of those within the State of Nebraska and
all over the United States. My district is home to two sheriff offices,
a large urban police force, numerous community police departments, the
Nebraska State Patrol, and a hand full of federal agencies. They have
unique differences in their responsibilities yet they are strikingly
similar in how they function. The different shapes of the badges they
wear on their chests proudly proclaims their distinct alliance to their
home agency, but it is also a symbol that binds them all together into
one brotherhood.
These gallant law enforcement professionals are driven to serve the
public of their jurisdictions. To protect the life, limb, and property
in their assigned patrol areas during their long hours for which they
have this solemn duty. To those on the front line of our safety; it is
not about the pay, the hours, or the conditions they work in. What is
of importance to them is the satisfaction of making the world a better
and safer place. They are the thin blue line that stands between us and
some of the darkest parts of our society.
When one of these brave individuals put on their uniform and departs
their home for the streets, they are not worried for their own safety.
They know their fellow officer have their back when needed. At great
personal sacrifice, they are pained by missing the baseball games or
recitals of beloved children; the birthdays and holidays they worked
instead of being home with their families.
I, like so many other members of the military, have a very personal
connection and appreciation for those who choose this profession. I
spent nearly thirty years in the military and much of that time was
deployed with combat forces protecting our freedoms overseas: The men
and women in military uniform depend on those back home in the blue
uniform.
Like so many others in the military, when I was overseas, I left my
wife and children here in the U.S. As a former commander, I can tell
you that the fastest way to negatively affect a soldier, sailor,
airman, or marine within a combat situation was to have them worry
about their family back home. Our great police officers, allow the
military to be a success. I am in awe with the dedication that each
officer displays daily. When our military is reunited with their family
after a deployment, they can relax knowing their fellow public servants
provide a shield of protection. This is a profession that takes a
different type of individual, someone who is consistently putting their
lives on the line, someone that I have always looked up to, a group of
individuals that I cannot thank enough for the blanket of security that
they provide.
There are members of the law enforcement community who serve, retire,
and move on in their lives. Eventually they go home and lay down their
badge in retirement, but they will no longer miss these family events.
These professionals have the gratitude of the constituents of my
district and I want to thank them for their dedication to protect and
serve. I would like to honor some of these courageous people who have
long distinguished careers or who recently retired. They are:
Deputy Sheriff David J. Wintle, of the Douglas County Sheriff's
Office, for over 29 years of service (deceased). This included 13 years
as a K-9 handler.
Deputy Sheriff Clarence Cooper, of the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office,
for 22 years of service (deceased). He also served 20 years in the U.S.
Air Force.
Officer Paul Briese Sr., of the Eppley Airfield Police Department,
for 11 years of service (deceased). He also served 28 years with the
Omaha Police Department and 4 years as the Sheriff of Boone County, NE.
Officer Robert Wondra, of the Omaha Police Department, for over 25
years of service (retired). This included 22 years as a member of their
SWAT team. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Chief Les Johnson, of the Bennington Police Department, for 26 years
of service (deceased).
Detective Matthew Elsasser, of the Papillion Police Department, for
13 years. He is the Papillion Police Department's 2018 Officer of the
Year.
I want to thank these officers and all others for their service and
sacrifice.
____________________
