[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO BRIAN KLINEFELTER, SLAIN POLICE OFFICER

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a very 
brave man, to police officer Brian Klinefelter who sacrificed his life 
on January 29, 1996, in the line of duty. He was shot to death when he 
approached three robbery suspects whom he had pulled over on a dark 
county road. Backup was only 2 minutes away, and his shift had ended 
about 15 minutes before the incident occurred.
  It is a tragedy when any policeman falls in the line of duty. 
However, this occurred in St. Joseph, a small town were officer Brian 
Klinefelter was known by most on a first-name basis. Admired by young 
and old, his untimely death had an immediate impact on this close-knit, 
central Minnesota community.
  As a small boy, Brian Klinefelter had always dreamed of becoming a 
police officer. He was a 1988 graduate of Apollo High School where he 
played football and he received his police training at Alexandria 
Technical College. He had been a policeman with the six member St. 
Joseph Police for 2\1/2\ years, and he had proudly built his career on 
dedication and commitment. At the age of 25 he was nominated for the 
top award of Officer of the Year after talking an armed gunman into 
surrendering in August, 1995.
  Brian's death was especially hard for the citizens of St. Joseph 
because it was the first death of a policeman and the first in the St. 
Cloud area in more than 57 years. His slaying marked the 178th death of 
a peace officer in the line of duty in Minnesota in the past 114 years. 
Over 2,200 people attended his funeral, including over 1,600 law 
officers with a stream of more than 500 squad cars from the Midwest and 
Canada.
  Friends and colleagues remember Brian as a very caring person with a 
big heart who loved being a law enforcement officer. He was a devoted 
and loving husband, a wonderful father, a caring and beloved son, a 
generous and loving brother, a loyal friend, and a fine policeman who 
dedicated his life to defending the peace. As we honor him, I want to 
share with you a part of his family's memories, ``Brian's love and 
dedication to his profession should serve as a model for everyone in 
their lives.''
  I extend my deepest, heartfelt sympathy to his devoted wife, Wendy 
and his baby daughter Katelyn, and his parents, siblings, and fellow 
officers. Officer Brian Klinefelter leaves a rich legacy of protecting 
the lives and property of his fellow citizens, and we will never forget 
this gallant man.

                          ____________________