[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 114 (Monday, August 15, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF HENRY QUILLIAN EVATT, JR.

  Mr. SASSER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to a shining 
star of Hamilton County--Sheriff Henry Quillian Evatt, Jr.--known 
fondly as ``H.Q.'' He is retiring after 37 years of public service--
including 22 years as chief law enforcement officer of Hamilton County.
  H.Q. was born the youngest of four boys on September 9, 1929, to 
Hettie Lou Wallen and Henry Quillian Evatt, Sr. His father died when 
H.Q. was only eight, but he instilled in his sons a strong work ethic. 
H.Q. attended East Lake Elementary and Junior High Schools, where he 
was a member of championship basketball teams. After graduating from 
Central High School, H.Q. enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served in 
Camp Pendleton, CA, and the Island of Guam.
  When he returned home in 1957, H.Q. was hired as the bookkeeper at 
the county jail. Due to the small size of the staff, he quickly took on 
the jobs of desk sergeant and dispatcher. H.Q. decided to further his 
education and completed training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement 
Training Academy and the Chattanooga Police Academy Law Enforcement 
Training School. In 1963, he became chief deputy to Sheriff Frank 
Newell. Following Sheriff Newell's retirement, H.Q. declared his 
candidacy for sheriff and was elected in September of 1968.
  H.Q.'s accomplishments as sheriff are numerous. From his first term, 
Sheriff Evatt was committed to a high degree of competency for his 
officers. He instituted mandatory training for all officers, 
established an in-service training school for his own department, 
updated all recordkeeping systems for jail and crime reports, and 
utilized private contributions to start a fitness program for his 
officers.
  Reacting to the diverse needs of the community, H.Q. created the 
first Community Relations Council and implemented a drug education 
program for youth. At the same time, he worked to enhance educational 
opportunities for inmates by providing counseling, literacy courses and 
a full-time chaplaincy program as part of prisoner rehabilitation.
  In order to meet the increasing demands on the department, Sheriff 
Evatt expanded the uniformed and patrol detective divisions, started 
the first traffic division and expanded the major crimes division. He 
established a D.U.I. task force and school patrol division, and created 
a marine patrol division.
  At a time when the crime rate is increasing and many people are 
frightened to leave their homes, we can all be proud of this public 
servant who has dedicated his life to ensuring the safety and well-
being of the citizens of Hamilton County. On behalf of a grateful 
Nation and State, I extend appreciation to Sheriff Evatt and his 
family--his wife Bobbie and his children Mike Evatt, Ricky Anderson, 
and Sherry Swilling--for the sacrifices they have made over the years. 
H.Q., congratulations on a job well-done. Please accept our wishes for 
a healthy and fruitful retirement.

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