[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2667-H2668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO NYPD OFFICER KEVIN GILLESPIE

  (Mr. KING asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, in the current film, ``City Hall,'' the 
fictional mayor of New York City portrayed by Al Pacino says, ``There 
is one thing I will never get over. That is the murder of a police 
officer.'' As a Member of Congress, as an American, and as the son of a 
New York police lieutenant, I could not agree more emphatically with 
that statement.
  Mr. Speaker, this past Monday in my home parish of St. William the 
Abbot Church in Seaford, I attended the funeral of a police officer, 
Kevin Gillespie, a New York City police officer that was gunned down in 
the line of duty last March 14, 1996. Police Officer Gillespie was a 
cop's cop.
  Those who murdered him personified the very worst of the criminal 
elements in our society. They had been previously convicted of crimes, 
ranging from attempted murder to assault and armed robbery. The 
triggerman who fired the 9-millimeter slug into Kevin Gillespie's neck 
is a two-time violent offender. One of his accomplices was out on 
$25,000 bail for an armed robbery arrest in January, a crime committed 
while he was out on parole.

  Mr. Speaker, our criminal justice system has lost touch with the 
American people and is failing in its job.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Governor Pataki for removing the Bronx 
district attorney for refusing to carry out the death penalty in this 
case, and I offer my condolences to Officer Gillespie and his family.
  Mr. Speaker, in the current film, ``City Hall,'' the fictional mayor 
of New York City portrayed by Al Pacino says, ``as Mayor, there is one 
thing that I will never get over, that is the murder of a police 
officer.'' As a Member of Congress, as an American, and as the son of a 
New York City police lieutenant, I could not agree more emphatically 
with that statement.
  This Monday in my parish of St. William the Abbot in Seaford, I 
attended the funeral of a murdered New York City police officer. Highly 
decorated NYPD Officer Kevin Gillespie was brutally gunned down on the 
night of March 14, 1996. Officer Gillespie leaves behind his wife Patty 
and two young sons, Danny, age 7, and Bobby, age 4. A Marine Corps 
veteran of the gulf war, Kevin Gillespie was recognized by his fellow 
officers and by the people he served as truly one of ``New York's 
Finest.''
  Throughout his career, first with the New York City Housing Police 
and then with the NYPD, Officer Gillespie distinguished himself as a 
very special cop. Because of his spirit, dedication, and skill, he was 
selected for the elite street crime unit.
  Working with this unit on the night of March 14, Officer Gillespie 
was killed, and his partner, Terence McAllister, wounded, while 
attempting to apprehend a gang of three suspected car-jackers traveling 
in a stolen BMW. The three felons were all on parole. Collectively they 
had been convicted of a series of crimes ranging from attempted murder 
to assault and armed robbery. The triggerman who

[[Page H2668]]

fired a 9mm slug into Kevin Gillespie's neck, Angel Diaz, is a two-time 
violent offender and one of his accomplices, Jesus Mendez, was on 
$25,000 bail for an armed robbery arrest in January. Even though 
arrested for a clear violation of his parole, this career criminal was 
allowed to make bail, walk the streets, and ultimately, commit murder.
  Mr. Speaker, in its current state, the criminal justice system 
represents a clear and present danger to American society. Liberal 
judges and juries set free vicious criminals to again prey on the 
innocent. Unless the absolute surety of severe punishment for serious 
crimes once again becomes the law of the land, we are all in jeopardy.
  When a civil society's first line of defense against mayhem and 
chaos--our police--can be killed with impunity, none of us are safe. 
Those who would attack with deadly force a police officer must 
understand that they will pay the ultimate price. The murder of a 
police officer is a depraved act. It displays absolute contempt for 
society and total indifference to human life. There is only one fitting 
punishment for a cop killer.
  I strongly support the imposition of the death penalty for certain 
heinous crimes. The death penalty should be applied without question or 
consideration for those found guilty of murdering a police officer. 
There may be some argument as to the deterrent effect of such a 
policy--I believe that the death penalty does serve as strong 
deterrent. There can be no disagreement, however, over the fact, that 
if dealt with properly, the despicable felon who gunned down Officer 
Gillespie will never again threaten society.

  There is no question that the death penalty should be sought in the 
case of Angel Diaz and his accomplices, Jesus Mendez and Ricardo 
Morales. On this matter I am in complete agreement with New York 
Governor George Pataki, New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco, and New 
York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. I commend each of these men for their 
stand, and completely support Governor Pataki's right to remove Bronx 
District Attorney Robert Johnson from the case for refusing to seek the 
death penalty.
  Mr. Speaker, Kevin Gillespie died in the line of duty doing his job 
for his fellow citizens. Ten thousand police officers attended his 
funeral to demonstrate their support for him. We must honor Police 
Officer Gillespie's memory by carrying out our duty and standing with 
the men and women of law enforcement against the violent, vicious 
criminals who prey upon law-abiding citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, Police Officer Kevin Gillespie died as he lived--with 
courage, with dignity, and with faith in God. And now I ask this House 
to pay its own tribute to this outstanding man. Please join me as I 
express my regret at the loss of Police Officer Kevin Gillespie and my 
profoundest condolences to his wife Patty, his sons Danny and Bobby, 
and to his entire family.

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