[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H2377-H2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       IN MEMORY OF SHAWN LEINEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Colorado [Mr. McInnis] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you to advise the House of 
news that another police officer has fallen in the line of duty. The 
officer, Shawn Leinen, was 27 years old and married to Susan Leinen, 
who is 6 months pregnant with their first child. Shawn was an officer 
with the Denver Police Department, and on seven separate occasions, he 
was cited for professionalism as an officer. He loved his duties and 
understood the risks, but always kept [[Page H2378]] the risk as 
secondary, having it overridden by protection of the citizens.
  Shawn was brave, not foolish; Shawn was honest, energetic, and even 
praised by individuals whom he had previously arrested.
  His death was senseless and as a former police officer, myself, it is 
hard not to feel deep bitterness and want for retribution against the 
16-year-old kid who is now only a suspect. This death was not just 
senseless, but cold-blooded murder.
  Shawn's widow, Susan, sits alone tonight, but she must know that 
Shawn's sacrifice, his call to duty, is recognized by the people who he 
protected. Their child will be born without its father, but will soon 
understand that dad was a hero. Our tears are in part for Susan's task 
in passing to that young child a response to the question, ``Why?'' 
Maybe our remembrance here in the Halls of Congress will assist in that 
effort. Maybe our thoughts and sympathies here in the Halls of the 
Capitol of this Nation will help Susan, as a policeman's widow, find 
some comfort in her days ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, our men and women in blue have again suffered a loss, 
but in their loss their resolve becomes only more firm.
  May God be with Shawn his widow, Susan, both their families and with 
that small yet-to-be-born child.


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