Whereas, on May 20, 2010, the people of West Memphis,
Arkansas, suffered an act of tragic violence;
Whereas the shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of
Sergeant Brandon Paudert and Officer Bill Evans;
Whereas during the shootout that ensued, Crittenden County
Sheriff Dick Busby was shot in the arm and his Chief Deputy, W.A. Wren, was
shot in the abdomen and remains in critical condition;
Whereas Brandon Paudert, 39, of West Memphis, Arkansas,
while serving as Sergeant on the Interstate Interdiction Unit for the West
Memphis Police Department and doing what he loved most, was killed in the line
of duty;
Whereas Brandon Paudert truly believed in the words “to
protect and serve”, and followed his dream to be a police officer like his
father, West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert, and was a fourth generation law
enforcement officer;
Whereas Brandon Paudert loved his children and family and
is survived by his wife, Kim Paudert of West Memphis, Arkansas, whom he had
dated since they were 14 years old, his father and mother, Robert and Linda
(Nichols) Paudert of West Memphis, Arkansas, his daughter, Katie Paudert of
West Memphis, Arkansas, his two sons, Lane Paudert and Wil Paudert, both of
West Memphis, Arkansas, his brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Kathy Paudert
of Seymour, Missouri, and his nephew, Aaron Paudert;
Whereas Thomas W. “Bill” Evans, 38, of Crawfordsville,
Arkansas, was a police officer for the City of West Memphis;
Whereas Thomas Evans was a 9-year veteran of the West
Memphis Police Department, a member of the Drug Interdiction Unit, and nephew
of the West Memphis, Arkansas, Chief of Police;
Whereas Thomas Evans is survived by his loving family
including his father, Thomas R. “Sonny” Evans of Augusta, Arkansas, his mother,
Sharon Scott of Batesville, Arkansas, his two sons, Thomas Dylan Evans of
Crawfordsville, Arkansas, and David Craig Closs of Marion, Arkansas, his
fiancée, Sunday Shanks of Crawfordsville, Arkansas, his two brothers, Jimmy
Evans of Crawfordsville, Arkansas, and Andrew St. Clair of Cord, Arkansas, his
three sisters, Angela R. Driver of Turrell, Arkansas, Joyce Alfaro of Turrell,
Arkansas, and Shawna Saucier of Southside, Arkansas, and his two step-sisters,
Brittney Neldon of Augusta, Arkansas, and Mellisa Higgs of Augusta,
Arkansas;
Whereas this violent act should serve as a reminder to all
that the men and women wearing a badge face life-threatening situations so that
the rest us can stay safe, and that this is the greatest sacrifice we can ask
of someone;
Whereas a memorial fund is being created in their
honor;
Whereas this ultimate sacrifice is felt hardest by the
wives, children, and other family of the fallen officers, and should be
recognized for their sacrifice as well; and
Whereas residents of West Memphis, Arkansas, and
throughout Crittenden County have come together to support the officers’ loved
ones: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of
Representatives—
(1)recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by
Sergeant Brandon Paudert and Officer Bill Evans while on duty;
(2)extends its deepest condolences to the
families and friends of Sergeant Brandon Paudert and Officer Bill Evans;
and
(3)recognizes the
great courage and honor that all men and women in uniform have, and the risk
they take to keep others safe.