[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H15256-H15257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE BRAVERY OF MARIETTA POLICE OFFICER MIKE POWELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Barr] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise before the House today to 
pay tribute to the brave actions of Marietta GA, police officer Mike 
Powell, a 6-year veteran of the department, a constituent, and a 
friend. Officer Powell's quick response to a 911 call this past 
Saturday saved the life of a local woman while placing himself in great 
danger.
  Approaching the apartment building in which this woman and her 
husband lived, officer Powell heard screams from the woman upstairs as 
she hid from her attacker in a bedroom. Upon entering the stairwell 
leading to the apartment, he found the husband already dead. Then 
suddenly Mike started receiving gun fire. He quickly returned fire on 
the man until back-up arrived and subdued the perpetrator.
  While making this extraordinary stand, officer Powell was hit two 
times. Thankfully he escaped serious harm, with one shot grazing his 
side and the other ricocheting off his gun and hitting him in the arm. 
The woman was able to flee the apartment unharmed 

[[Page H15257]]
during the commotion. It is certain the quick response of officer 
Powell saved the woman's life.
  Every day the heroic actions of men and women serving in police 
departments across the country save lives. The job is stressful, 
dangerous, and frightening, yet thousands put their lives on the line 
so that all of us may live more securely. Mike Powell's bravery is a 
tribute to him and a reminder to all of us of how much the man and 
women in blue do to protect and to serve. On behalf of the citizens of 
Marietta and the entire Seventh District of Georgia, I commend Officer 
Powell for his selfless actions in the line of duty and at great 
personal sacrifice.

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