[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16916-S16918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS 
                                MEMORIAL

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, in recent months, there have been some 
disturbing accounts from throughout the Nation about police officers 
conducting themselves in an inappropriate manner while performing their 
duties. Regrettably, some members of the media, and people who wish to 
malign the efforts of law enforcement officers, choose to believe that 
the actions of a handful of rogue individuals are representative of the 
entire law enforcement community. That is simply not the case.
  As we all know, the job that lawmen and women do is not easy, as a 
matter of fact, it is one that is extremely dangerous, as well as 
physically and mentally demanding. It is a job that requires ordinary 
men and women to commit extraordinary acts on an almost daily basis. In 
many cases, the situations to which they are dispatched result in 
injury to officers, and in increasingly frequent cases, the lives of 
officers are lost.
  While law enforcement officers across America labor tirelessly and 

[[Page S 16917]]
  largely without thanks, the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, 
appropriately located at Judiciary Square, guarantees that those who 
fall in the line of duty will never be forgotten. Each year, the names 
of the men and women killed while doing their jobs--keeping us safe--
are added to the Memorial. This past October 19th, the names of the 157 
officers who were killed last year were placed on the grey Canadian 
Marble walls which form this solemn Memorial.
  As I have done many times in years past, I attended the wreathlaying 
ceremony held at the Memorial when the names of those killed over the 
past year were added to the rolls of their fallen comrades. During that 
ceremony, the Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers 
Memorial, Craig Floyd, and Sharon Felton, the widow of a police officer 
and a trustee of Concerns of Police Survivors [COPS], made some remarks 
that I thought were particularly poignant, in that they paid tribute to 
those police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, while also 
reminding everyone in the audience of the challenges and difficulties 
facing an officer in this day and age. I ask unanimous consent that a 
copy of Mr. Floyd's and Ms. Felton's remarks be placed in the Record 
following my remarks, so that my colleagues will have the opportunity 
to read and consider what they said that day.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, it is sometimes easy to forget just what 
an enormous task we ask of those who work in law enforcement. It is 
very easy, from the comfort of an office or a living room, to second 
guess the decision a police officer was required to make in a split 
second. I hope that people will take a moment to read and think about 
what Mr. Floyd and Ms. Felton said last month, and to reflect on the 
fact that being a police officer is not only difficult, it can be 
deadly.

               Exhibit 1.--Wreathlaying Ceremony Remarks

                  (By Craig W. Floyd, NLEOMF Chairman)

       Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining 
     us as we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the National 
     Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
       My name is Craig Floyd and I am the chairman of the 
     National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. On behalf of 
     our board of directors, I want to welcome all of you here 
     today.
       Nearly a year ago, three law enforcement officers were 
     murdered at D.C. Police headquarters, just one block from 
     this hallowed ground. It was a horrible tragedy that will not 
     soon be forgotten.
       Shortly afterwards, Tony Daniels, who was then in charge of 
     the FBI's Washington metropolitan field office, reflected on 
     the shooting in a poignant commentary that was printed in the 
     Washington Post. He said:
       ``There is no easy way to absorb the events of November 22, 
     1994. For all of us, I'm sure, the most difficult part of 
     dealing with this tragedy is trying to find a reason for its 
     occurrence--trying to make some sense out of a senseless act 
     . . . We will never know what causes people to do the things 
     they do; we are only left with the aftermath. Yet it is an 
     inescapable fact that the law enforcement community lives in 
     the shadow of death.''
       Sadly, those words echoed over and over again this past 
     year as we buried one police officer after another. Already 
     this year, we know of 127 law enforcement officers across 
     this country who have been killed in the line of duty. That 
     represents an 11 percent increase over last year's figure for 
     the same period.
       On average, one police officer is killed somewhere in 
     America every 52 hours. One out of every nine officers is 
     assaulted and one out of every 25 officers is injured in the 
     line of duty. Across this country, there are nearly 700,000 
     law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line 
     daily for the protection and safety of others. This memorial 
     is a richly deserved tribute to that extraordinary level of 
     police service and sacrifice.
       When this memorial was dedicated 4 years ago, these marble 
     walls that embrace us here today contained the names of 
     12,561 fallen police officers. Since that time, we have added 
     nearly 1,300 more.
       We could have simply allowed those fallen heroes to be 
     buried and then forgotten. But, this nation valued the 
     service and sacrifice of those officers far too much to cast 
     their memories to the winds of time.
       We knew that, if given the chance, the voices of those 
     fallen heroes need not be silenced by death. . . . Their 
     deeds might even have more meaning. . . . And their lives 
     would become the example for others. This monument gives them 
     that chance to be heard, to be understood, to inspire.
       Each time a single corrupt or bigoted police officer is 
     exposed, come here and listen to the condemnation expressed 
     by thousands of fallen police heroes.
       Each time the resolve of our law enforcement officers is 
     challenged, come here and understand just how much our 
     officers are willing to sacrifice for the well being of 
     others.
       Each time the constant criticism and second-guessing causes 
     our police officers to think twice about the profession they 
     have chosen, come here and be reminded that you are following 
     in the footsteps of some of the bravest and finest 
     individuals ever to walk the face of this earth.


                         Intro to wreathlaying

       In a moment, a wreath will be placed here at the memorial 
     to commemorate the fourth anniversary of this monument, and 
     to honor the nearly 14,000 law enforcement officers who have 
     died in the line of duty.
       But, before we do that I want to take a moment to recognize 
     all of the police survivors who have honored us with their 
     presence here today. While we cannot undo their loss, we can 
     remind them that they have not been forgotten. Their welfare 
     is important to us all.
       At this time, I would like to ask all of the survivors of a 
     fallen officer here today to please rise and be recognized.
       Since the last time we met to commemorate the anniversary 
     of this monument one year ago, nine law enforcement officers 
     have been killed in the Washington, D.C. Area. That matches 
     the highest number of local police fatalities ever recorded 
     in a 12-month period.
       Three of them died in a single incident. Last November 22, 
     Metropolitan Police Sergeant Henry Joseph Daly, and FBI 
     Special Agents Martha Dixon Martinez and Michael John Miller 
     were savagely murdered in an unprovoked ambush at D.C. Police 
     headquarters.
       On February 7, off-duty D.C. Police officer James McGee 
     attempted to stop a robbery in progress. In a few terror-
     filled seconds, Officer McGee was accidentally shot and 
     killed in a tragic case of mistaken identity.
       On April 26, Prince George's County Police Corporal John 
     Novabilski was assassinated by a crazed killer while sitting 
     in his marked patrol car.
       Less than 2 months later, that same killer murdered FBI 
     Special Agent William Christian. Agent Christian, who was 
     also gunned down while sitting in his car, was on a stakeout 
     to arrest the man who killed him.
       On August 22, Loudoun County Deputy Sheriff Charles Barton 
     was killed in an aircraft accident on the way to pick up a 
     wanted felon. He was the first officer to be killed while on 
     duty in the history of the Loudoun County Sheriff's 
     Department.
       And, of course, the two latest fatalities occurred this 
     month. D.C. Police Officer Scott Lewis was gunned down on 
     October 6 in an unprovoked attack while aiding a burglary 
     victim.
       Maryland state trooper Edward A. Plank was shot and killed 
     just three days ago after stopping a motorist for a traffic 
     violation.
       We have asked the immediate family members of these fallen 
     officers, along with their agency escorts, to assist us with 
     the presentation of the wreath. They have graciously accepted 
     our invitation and will serve as representatives of all 
     police survivors and law enforcers across the Nation.
       Leading our procession, we are very pleased to have the 
     Assistant Attorney General of the United States Andrew Fois, 
     who will be joined by members of the U.S. Park Police honor 
     guard.


                            Closing remarks

       I would like to close today's ceremony with a poem. It was 
     written by a 16-year-old girl named Megan Hogan. Her father 
     was a Minnesota police officer who was shot and killed six 
     years ago. Megan's poem offers comfort to all of us here 
     today:

       My father is now at rest
       For a safer place he remains
       A world of goodness and beauty
       A world without worry or pain.
       No fear will he encounter
       For a better place he'll be
       A place where the sick are healed
       And a place where the blinded eyes can see.
       My world has forever changed
       My life is not the same
       But close within my heart
       His precious face remains.
       I give him my tears
       And my prayers I send above
       I cherish all our memories
       Filled with happiness and love.
       He'll have someone to depend on
       His helping hand is there to lend
       For the Father shall be watching
       And in heaven he'll have a friend.
       The battle is faced head on
       Many obstacles yet to overcome
       But in the end, together
       This battle will be won!
       For the next six hours, a rotating police honor guard will 
     stand vigil here at the memorial as a special salute to 
     America's fallen officers. A reception will be held 
     immediately following today's ceremony at the memorial 
     visitors center at 605 E Street --two blocks to the right. 
     Everyone is invited to attend.
       Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's ceremony. 
     Thank you all for coming. May God bless you and all of our 
     Nation's police officers.
                                                                    ____


  Wreathlaying Ceremony, NLEOM, October 19, 1995--Speech by Sharon AJ 
           Felton, Widow/1989 Northern Seaboard Trustee, COPS

       Friends, officers, fellow survivors, special guests--Good 
     afternoon. I am honored to 

[[Page S 16918]]
     stand before you today and participate in this wreathlaying ceremony to 
     commemorate the fourth anniversary of the National Law 
     Enforcement Officer's Memorial.
       I once had the honor of watching a young man's dream come 
     true as he graduated the police academy in Petersburg, VA, on 
     December 7, 1986. He had dreamed of being a police officer 
     since the age of five, and his academy graduation was one of 
     the happiest days of his life.
       Just a few years later, I watch that same young man leave 
     the safety of his home to back up a fellow deputy with a 
     routine burglary call. Just a few minutes later, less than a 
     mile from his home, that young 23 year-old officer died in 
     the line of duty. His name was Thomas Felton, Jr., a Sussex 
     County Virginia deputy sheriff. And he was my husband.
       Tom did not die as most cops expect to die. There was no 
     hail of gunfire--no dramatic rescue--not even a highspeed car 
     chase. There was only Tom, his patrol car, a freight train, 
     and a terrible twist of fate that brought them all to the 
     same place at 6:37 am on April 29, 1989. He died in an 
     accident. He died in the line of duty.
       What became evident in the days to follow his death, was 
     just how many lives Tom had touched as hundreds of friends, 
     family, and fellow officers came to honor his life. 
     Reflecting on his life, they used words like Honesty, 
     Respect, Love, and Honor. And they called him a Hero--not 
     because of the way he died--but because of the way he lived. 
     And they were proud to have known him--as I was.
       Today, we are here to honor other officers who have made 
     the same sacrifice in the line of duty--and we use words such 
     as Honesty, Respect, Love, and Honor. Yes, we are here 
     because each of these officers has given his or her life in 
     the line of duty, but I am here to tell you that there are 
     living words, describing the way they each lived, not the way 
     they each died.
       Today, we live in a world where ``COP'' has become a bad 
     word--where law enforcement is unappreciated and where police 
     officers are chastised because of the actions or beliefs of a 
     few who disgrace the badge. I submit to you that these rogue 
     cops are not a true representation of America's law 
     enforcement officers. They are the exception, not the rule.
       I ask you today to look at the names engraved in the panels 
     that make up this memorial. Look deep into the names that 
     line this Pathway of Remembrance. These men and women 
     exemplify the true attributes of America's law enforcement 
     officer--Honesty, Respect, Love, and Honor. These are the 
     best of the best--the noblest of the noble--and Yes--law 
     enforcement Is Still a Noble Profession!
       We are here today to honor these men and women--who placed 
     themselves along the Thin Blue Line that separate us from 
     total chaos and lawlessness. We are here to mourn their 
     deaths, and in doing so, we celebrate their lives.
       This memorial was built for those officers whose names are 
     engraved here. It is for those officers whose names are yet 
     been added, such as DC Metro Officer Scott Lewis and Lynn, 
     MASS Police Officer Gary Twyman who dies just last week. And 
     it is for Maryland State Trooper Edward Plank, Jr. who died 
     just two days ago.
       It is for those officers who still walk that Thin Blue Line 
     each day in America. And it is for you, the survivors--the 
     families and friends who have also made the ultimate 
     sacrifice--you are the Names Beyond the Wall.
       For some of you here today, your grief is very new. Maybe 
     your officer died last year, last month, last week. Just 
     being here may be a struggle for you and the pain may seem to 
     be too much to bear. For others who are further into your 
     grief, the sight of seeing your officer's name may again 
     reopen some of those old wounds as memories flood your minds. 
     Our reactions to this memorial are as different as our 
     losses, but we are still the same. We are survivors. Our 
     officers died and we are left to tell their stories.
       This is our place--a place where we come to grieve, to cry, 
     to laugh, to heal, to grow. We bring flowers--we bring 
     letters--we make rubbings of those precious names so we can 
     take a piece of this memorial home with us. We come to 
     remember--and we use words such as Honesty, Respect, Love, 
     and Honor. And we call them Heroes--not because of manners in 
     which they each died, but because of the manners in which 
     they each lived. And we are each better for having known 
     them.
       In closing, I would like to share a poem with you entitled 
     ``The Names Beyond the Wall.''

                       The Names Beyond the Wall

     All for God and Country, they walked the Thin Blue Line.
     With honor and with valor they lost their fight with time.
     We are their survivors--the names beyond the Wall
     Our loved ones lost their lives, but we have lost it all.
     We are mothers; we are fathers. Brothers, sisters, children, 
           too.
     We are wives and we are husbands. We are partners wearing 
           blue.
     A gunman killed his brother--A drunk driver killed his wife
     A child will miss her Daddy for the rest of her life.
     A father's little girl has died--a car crash in the rain.
     A widow cries for days now gone--a collision with a train.
     A mother lost her son--a daughter lost her dad.
     Just another day in America when good has lost to bad.
     Forever and a day was stolen from our grip
     And now we must forward on a long and lonely trip.
     With pride they wore their badge. With glory, gave their 
           lives.
     Now names engraved upon this wall are all that's left behind.
     Our pride was for their service our joy now turned to tears
     the heartache that we suffer will last for many years.
     We are their survivors--the names beyond the Wall
     Our loved ones lost their lives, but we have lost it all.
     We are mothers; we are fathers. Brothers, sisters, children, 
           too.
     We are wives and we are husbands. We are partners wearing 
           blue.
     All for God and Country, they walked the Thin Blue Line.
     With honor and with valor they lost their fight with time.
       Good bless you all.

                          ____________________