[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 80 (Monday, May 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL, 1995

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the men and women 
who gave their lives so that we may be protected.
  Aware of the dangers that face them everyday, law enforcement 
officers carry out their duties to protect the lives of others. Too 
often, their own lives are lost. Unfortunately, this year, 298 
additional names will be carved into the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial, here in Washington, DC. It is only fitting that on 
this day I pay tribute to several New York law enforcement officers who 
died in the line of duty.
  On March 15, 1994, Officer Sean McDonald was brutally slain while on 
duty in the 44th Precinct in New York. His murder occurred as he 
attempted to save two people from a robbery attempt. In a few short 
moments, while a series of gunshots, these ruthless cowards stole the 
life of a dedicated police officer, husband and father.
  In a similar incident on May 20 of 1994, a perpetrator fatally shot 
Investigator Ricky J. Parisian, a devoted officer in Oneonta, NY. 
Investigator Parisian's life was abruptly ended when the robber he was 
struggling with shot him. He was 34 years old.
  Several other names will also be added to the memorial. The names to 
be added include law enforcement officers who were also killed in the 
line of duty in 1994. These officers include: Police Officer Nicholas 
DeMutis of the New York City Police Department who was killed on 
January 25th, Police Officer Jose Perez of the New York City Police 
Department who was killed on April 27, Police Officer John J. Venus of 
the Suffolk County Police Department who was killed on November 20, and 
Police Officer Raymond R. Cannon, Jr., of the New York City Police 
Department who was killed in December 1994.
  The memorial will also hold the names of officers who died in the 
line of duty before 1994 but were not listed until this year, 
including: Police Officer John Cahill of the Haverstraw Village Police 
Department, Police Officer Francis J. Donato, Jr., of the New York 
State Park Police, Police Officer John Bauer of the Cheektowaga Police 
Department, and Sgt. David C. Pettigrew of the Freeport Police 
Department.
  On this day of remembrance, I would like to recognize the heroic 
service of officers across the United States who risk their lives each 
and every day, in every city, county, and State in this country, so 
that we may live in safety.
  The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial was dedicated in 1991 
and presently holds 1,293 names. This memorial is a way to express our 
Nation's appreciation of law enforcement officers and their efforts to 
fight crime and protect our families.
  This year's memorial observation is also an opportunity for this 
Congress to renew our pledge to make our communities safer. By passing 
legislation that will require tougher sentences for convicted 
criminals, this Congress can do its part. If law enforcement officers 
can patrol our streets, risking their lives, then the least we can do 
is make sure that these criminals are not back on the streets before 
they have fully served their time.


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