[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDATION FOR POLICE OFFICER JOSEPH WITTE ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Philadelphia's finest police officers, Joseph Witte, on the celebration 
of his retirement from the force on March 22, 1996.
  Joe's dedication and hard work on the police force lasted over 26 
years. His police work in Philadelphia started when Joe was appointed 
to the police department on September 29, 1969. Four months later, he 
graduated from the police academy and was assigned to the sixth 
district where he patrolled the streets of Center City.
  On July 19, 1971, Joe was transferred to the accident investigation 
division to investigate fatal, serious injury and hit and run traffic 
accidents. He was one of the first police officers to be certified as a 
breathalyzer operator where he performed sobriety tests on persons 
arrested for driving under the influence. Less than 10 years on the 
force, Joe was promoted to corporal and assigned to the police radio 
room supervising call takers and dispatchers for the northeast 
division. Shortly after his promotion to corporal, Joe was transferred 
on January 30, 1975, to the 25th district and supervised that 
district's operation center and cell room.
  Moving up the ladder at the police department continued for Joe when 
he was promoted to detective and assigned to the east detective 
division on October 18, 1976. In 1979, Joe was transferred to the 
homicide division. On March 1980, he returned to the detective division 
and was selected as one of the first detectives assigned to a 
divisional, special investigation unit by then Lt. Edward McLaughlin--
now deputy commissioner of license and investigation. His 
responsibilities ranged from investigating high profile cases to 
multiple crimes and acting as a liaison with other police departments.
  Joe's next step up the ladder with the police force was his promotion 
to sergeant in 1981. He served as a patrol supervisor in the 15th 
district in northeast Philadelphia and 16th district in west 
Philadelphia. In 1986, Joe was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and 
again returned back to the east detective division.
  On September 19, 1989, Joe was transferred back to the homicide 
division where he presided over the operations and investigations of 
No. 1 platoon. During his tenure at homicide, Joe supervised many high 
profile murder cases with No. 1 platoon and led his division in solved 
investigations. As a lieutenant with the homicide division, Joe dealt 
with both the broadcast and print media on a daily basis. Joe became 
well known to the reporters on the police beat and was often 
complimented for his relationship with him.

  Finally, on December 19, 1994, Joe was transferred back to the east 
detective division and commanded that division's special investigations 
unit, which was responsible for the arrests in the Quaker Lace fire, 
The narcotic processing unit, robbery, burglary and stolen auto teams. 
He also acted as the division's executive officer taking over the 
command duties in the absence to the captain.
  Now Joe is starting his career as the director of the Pennsylvania 
Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among 
Children. He works with the State department of education which pays 
for the training of student assistance teams in schools throughout the 
commonwealth. Also, this group provides the training facility, lodging, 
meals and recreation for the police officers throughout the State while 
they train to be D.A.R.E. officers.
  Joseph Witte's accomplishments as a dedicated and valiant officer of 
the Philadelphia Police Department have earned him well-deserved 
respect and praise from his peers. Mr. Speaker, I wish Joe all the best 
in his retirement from the Philadelphia Police Department.

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