[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1241-E1242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 1995
  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, we do not often enough have the opportunity 
to say ``thanks'' to the many hardworking men and women in our local 
police forces who risk their lives day in and day out to protect our 
towns and cities. I recently received a letter describing the 
successful efforts of San Antonio police officers to apprehend the 
perpetrators of a foiled assault and robbery. The crime victim 
eloquently describes the incident and her gratitude to the assisting 
officers. I echo her sentiments and offer my thanks to the police 
officers for their professionalism and teamwork. The letter is set 
forth below:

                                                   April 25, 1995.
     Hon. Frank Tejeda,
     Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC.
       Dear Frank Tejeda: On February 21, 1995 at 4:00 p.m. I was 
     at Ed's Car Wash on Military Drive. While washing my car I 
     noticed six teenagers standing on the side of the stall I was 
     occupying. I thought they were waiting for their after school 
     bus.
       As I was washing my car a teenager, who later turned out to 
     be the perpetrator, asked me for the time. I replied that it 
     was 4:00 p.m. I felt uneasy because something in the way he 
     was acting did not seem right. At this time I noticed that 
     two of the teens were watching me. At first I was going to 
     just leave but I thought I was in a public place and there 
     were plenty of people around, I felt I was safe.
       As I was putting the wash wand up, I heard running behind 
     me. Just as I turned around there were two more teens coming 
     at me. At this time the first teen that asked for the time 
     started attacking me. He grabbed me from behind the neck and 
     started choking me. I could feel myself starting to black 
     out. At this point, he started to hit me in the mouth with 
     his fist, causing an open injury inside my mouth and I could 
     feel myself start choking on my own blood. He placed a gun at 
     the back of my head and then hit me on the side of my face 
     with the gun. He kept ordering me to give him my car keys and 
     telling me to get into the car. I could do neither as he was 
     still choking me until I was nearly passing out and I could 
     not talk at this time. He had my arms and legs pinned against 
     the car. My keys were locked in the car. He finally loosened 
     his grip on my
      throat and I was able to tell him my keys were locked in the 
     car and I had a car code. Then I screamed ``God help me.'' 
     He look frightened and they all started running. I also 
     started running in the other direction. I yelled for 
     someone to help me and call the police that some teens had 
     tried to kill me and one of them at least had a gun. 
     Everyone got into their cars and left me standing there. 
     But someone did call the police and they were there within 
     minutes. The police had caught all of the teens within 
     minutes.
       The following officers from the West Side Sub-station were 
     involved in the arrest of the teens:
       1. Officer Sid McDonald--#282.
       2. Officer Daniel Zamora--#1198.
       3. Officer Kevin Wreser--#1022.
       Officers assisting in the arrest were:
       1. Officer Joe Esquibel--#129.
       2. Officer Mavin Cannon--#966.
       3. Officer Steven Martinez--#547.
       4. Officer Randy Geary--#1141.
       5. Officer Royce Basquez--#1194.
       6. Officer Ruben Ramon--#775.
       7. Officer Steven Howard--#932.
       8. Officer Michael Kubena--#2002.
       9. Officer William Biesenbach--#2381.
       Investigating Officer--1. Sgt. Greg Young.
       These fine officers showed concern for me and professional 
     teamwork in the apprehension of these teenage juveniles. 
     Within minutes the teens were caught. It was later learned 
     that every one of them had prior arrest records.
       Please thank these officers.
       I have always stated and I will state again we have the 
     finest police department in the United States. Please tell 
     them to keep up the good work and God Bless All of the Police 
     for making me feel safer because they are 
     there. [[Page E1242]] 
       I will always Back the Blue.
           Sincerely Yours,
                                                        Ruth Mahl,
            Executive Director, Helping Hands Lifeline Foundation.
     

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