[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      A TRIBUTE TO SHANE CHADWICK

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave and 
devoted city police officer who gave his life in the line of duty last 
week during what was thought to be a routine police call.
  Officer Shane Chadwick--beloved son of Virgil and Helen Chadwick, 
devoted husband of Terry Chadwick, and loving father to 4-year old 
Justin Dean Eckhardt--died on September 7, 1994, while responding to a 
noise complaint in Great Falls, MT.
  When a man or woman chooses the life of a law enforcement officer, 
they know that one day they may have to put their life on the line to 
uphold the law they have sworn to protect and preserve. Their loved 
ones know the risks. Their friends and neighbors know the risks. But 
knowing the risks does not make it any easier.
  I cannot begin to express the loss we all feel as result of Shane's 
death. In Montana, we are a community. We are 800,000 people. And we 
are fortunate because we have not been witness to the violence that has 
touched the lives of so many in other states. But this senseless act of 
taking the life of a young man whose whole future still lay ahead of 
him has sent shock waves through every single community in Montana.
  Shane was a good man. He was only 29, but to the people in his home 
town of Chester, MT, population of 950, he was and is someone special.
  He enjoyed life to the fullest and opened his heart to those around 
him. He was a football star and a math scholar in high school. He loved 
the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, swimming, and 
anything else he could do under the wide open, blue skies.
  He got his undergraduate degree in biological science from Montana 
State University in 1990, and wanted to become a game warden. But he 
soon turned his sights to law enforcement, and became a role model for 
many of his fellow officers. He even tried his hand at teaching at the 
Montana Law Enforcement Academy, and earned tremendous respect for his 
approach and dedication of his profession.
  Shane Chadwick was a dedicated officer and a true American hero. His 
loss touches us all. In fact, his loss is a reminder to all us of the 
sacrifice every single police officer in America is prepared to make to 
keep our towns, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces safe.
  This weekend the residents of Shane's hometown of Chester will pay 
tribute to Shane and express their support for his parents, wife, and 
son. From 6 p.m. on Friday, September 16 through 8 a.m. Sunday, 
September 17, they will fly flags, light their homes, and wear flag 
pins to commemorate the life of officer Chadwick.
  Mr. President, I call upon all Montanans, and all of this Nation's 
citizens, to honor the memory of officer Shane Chadwick and all the 
other men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty to 
keep America's streets safe. Leave your porch and yard lights on 
throughout the weekend. Fly your American, Montana or State flags, and 
wear flag pins on your lapels.
  Let us remember Shane so we will not forget the dedication and love 
he shared with all the people he touched in his lifetime. He may be 
gone, but he will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________