[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           TRIBUTE TO CAPT. MIKE TRACY AND SGT. TOM VANDERPOOL

                                 ______


                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 10, 1995
  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, May 15, the Grand Lodge of the 
Fraternal Order of Police will honor over 100 police officers from 
across the Nation who were slain in the line of duty. Among those 
officers are two courageous men from the 36th Congressional District of 
California who gave their lives to protect others. It is with deep 
sadness that I join in paying tribute to these individuals, Capt. Mike 
Tracy and Sgt. Tom Vanderpool.
  Mike Tracy and Tom Vanderpool were both gunned down by a robber on 
February 14, 1994, while they attended a management seminar for 
employees of the city of Palos Verdes Estates, CA. Both men were model 
police officers who leave behind family, friends, colleagues, and a 
community made all the better by their service.
  Mike, who was raised in Torrance, CA, first joined the PVE Police 
Department as a reserve officer in 1966. His colleagues described him 
as a ``cop's cop'': instinctive, professional, and supportive of his 
fellow officers. Those close to him say he liked to ``live life to the 
fullest,'' and many were touched by his humor and humanity. In his 
spare time, Mike counseled teenagers in trouble. He was also a husband, 
and father of two.
  Tom spent his early years in law enforcement with the Los Angeles 
Police Department before beginning 13 years of service with the PVE 
Police Department. He was respected by his colleagues and occupied a 
special place in the hearts of needy children in the community. Every 
Christmas, he would use his patrol car to deliver toys, blankets, and 
clothing to these children and their families. A husband and father of 
three, Tom was preparing to celebrate his 36th wedding anniversary 
shortly before he was killed.
  My heart fills with sadness when I think of the tragic circumstances 
surrounding the deaths of these two officers. The job of our law 
enforcement officers has changed dramatically from earlier times in our 
Nation's history. Not only must these officers protect our citizens 
against dangers unimaginable, but they must increasingly protect 
themselves from mindless expressions of rage and frustration. We owe an 
enormous debt of gratitude to those men and women who do the job of law 
enforcement every day.
  A luncheon to award the South Bay Medal of Valor was recently held in 
my district to honor those who have performed heroic acts in the line 
of duty. Capt. Mike Tracy and Sgt. Tom Vanderpool were both awarded the 
medal posthumously. I only wish the legislative schedule had permitted 
me to be there, as I was when hundreds of Californians including my 
Governor attended their funeral.
  To their families and friends, and to the families and friends of all 
officers slain in the line of duty, your loved ones were patriots. They 
gave their lives for ours.


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