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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E681-E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF HUMMELSTOWN CHIEF OF POLICE WILLIAM RYAN
______
HON. SCOTT PERRY
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 24, 2020
Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm truly honored to congratulate Chief
William Ryan upon his retirement on July 31, 2020, from a distinguished
career in law enforcement. Chief Ryan has dedicated nearly 35 years to
Southeast PA and the Hummelstown Borough Police Department (HBPD), and
I'm proud to recognize his exceptional career here today.
Bill Ryan became a Hummelstown Police Officer in 1992, after five
years with the George Mason University Police Department. Early in his
career, he developed the ``Witch Watch'' program that organized high
school volunteers to patrol for safety issues during Halloween, and
keep trick-or-treaters safe. In 1994, he formed the Hummelstown
Neighborhood Crime Watch Group, encouraging community volunteers to
patrol the Borough on weekends. By 1995, he was promoted to Corporal,
and approached the then-chief with the idea of teaching DARE in the
Lower Dauphin School District. He continued to organize events, like
the National Night Out for Hummelstown, and the infamous ``Turkey
Bowl''--first a football game, and later a bowling tournament between
law enforcement and local schoolteachers to support the local food
bank.
In 1996, Bill was promoted to Sergeant, and subsequently Detective,
serving as the HBPD criminal investigator. Just a year later, he began
teaching DARE at the Lower Dauphin Middle School, which continued for
17 years, forming lasting connections with students and teachers
alike--many of whom still refer to him as ``Sergeant Ryan'' and hold
dear their memories of him from those classes.
In 1997, Bill joined the Capital Region Forensic Unit, responsible
for the collection of evidence in serious, high profile crimes. That
same year, he completed the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Crime Prevention Course, and joined the County child abuse
multidisciplinary team. In 1998, he appeared in a DUI training/public
service announcement, which was shown Nationwide.
In 1999, Bill was named PA Police Officer of the Year by the American
Legion, and was named Officer of the Year for the Northeast Region--and
the National runner-up, He also began teaching at the Harrisburg Area
Community College Police Academy, and in 2001, joined the Dauphin
County Child Abduction Response Team.
By 2008, Bill was honored with a Career Service Award from the
Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association. He continued to teach the
DARE program, and taught his final class in 2013. In 2014, he was
awarded the PA VFW John Radko Gold Medal. Finally, in 2016, he earned
his highest rank, and was named Acting Chief of Hummelstown Police
Department.
Bill was known for ending his e-mails with, ``Be safe, stay sharp,
and make good decisions,'' and every phone call with, ``Peace''--
something we pray for everyday for those who stand on the Thin Blue
Line.
Madam Speaker, Chief William Ryan has served with distinction the
Borough of
[[Page E682]]
Hummelstown, the HBPD, and our surrounding communities. He is a great
credit to the Commonwealth and the Nation, and his legacy of servant-
leadership and law enforcement excellence sets the standard for all to
follow.
____________________
