[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TOP COPS--DETECTIVES FRANK 
                     DELLAVENTURA AND FREDDY ROCHA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 1996

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize and 
pay tribute to two distinguished individuals who have dedicated their 
lives to protecting Rhode Islanders against crime and violence.
  Today, Detectives Frank DellaVentura and Freddy Rocha of the Police 
Department in Providence, RI, will receive Top Cops Awards for their 
outstanding service in protecting our Nation's communities. The Top 
Cops Award is the only national award for officers nominated by their 
peers in law enforcement.
  Across our country, drug abuse is a root cause of the crime and 
violence that plague our neighborhoods. In recent years, we have made 
important strides to stop drug-related crime. Law enforcement has been 
a vital part of this effort, and Detectives Rocha and DellaVentura have 
been instrumental in this fight.
  For example, in 1994, Detective Rocha went undercover to investigate 
a group of criminals who were identifying themselves as law enforcement 
agents and stealing drugs and money from drug dealers. Risking his life 
by posing as a major cocaine dealer, Detective Rocha gathered evidence 
against this group, which was also linked to organized crime. Winning 
the group's confidence, he arranged a meeting at which its members 
expected to receive drugs and money, but instead were apprehended by 
the Providence SWAT team. The criminals are now serving prison 
sentences.
  Detective DellaVentura has also played a critical role in Rhode 
Island's fight against drugs. He organized several of the undercover 
operations in which Detective Rocha has served. In addition, Detective 
DellaVentura's detailed research, careful surveillance, and thorough 
knowledge of the requirements of federal law have been essential to 
these operations' success.
  The work of Detectives DellaVentura and Rocha has been nothing short 
of exceptional. I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in saluting 
these Top Cops for their efforts to make the streets of Rhode Island 
safer for law-abiding citizens.

                          ____________________