[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HOOSIER HERO--INDIANA STATE POLICE'S PENDLETON POST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID M. McINTOSH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 23, 1997

  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my report from 
Indiana. As my wife, Ruthie, and I travel throughout the great State of 
Indiana, we meet so many hard-working Hoosiers.
  These people go to work every day to support themselves and their 
families.
  However, there are those who go above and beyond the call of duty 
each day, to put their lives on the line for fellow Hoosiers. This 
commitment calls on the courage of the Indiana State Police officers.
  Today, I would like to pay special attention to the hard-working men 
of the Indiana State Police's Pendleton Post. Their devotion, courage, 
and outstanding work ethic are recognized as Indiana's best State 
police squad.
  The Pendleton Post consists of seven men. Alexander Willis, Scott 
Sollars, Jeff Goforth, Chris Lambert, David Preston, Shawn O'Keefe, and 
Chris Noone make up the squad who, in 1996, recorded over 800 criminal 
arrests and over 200 drunk-driving arrests, the highest in the State of 
Indiana. However, what makes these accomplishments so significant is 
the fact that there were only seven men on the squad.
  Sgt. Robert Kowalski said that normally a group this size would not 
be able to accomplish as much as the Pendleton troopers have, but their 
good-old fashion hard work have put fear out of the minds of the 
citizens of Madison County. The work ethic of the Indiana State 
Police's Pentleton Post is something each of us should strive for.
  Special recognition is also deserved by Troopers David Preston and 
Shawn O'Keefe. Trooper Preston was honored for having the most criminal 
arrests and the third highest drunk-driving arrests for the State of 
Indiana. Trooper Shawn O'Keefe was also awarded Trooper of the Year by 
the ``Real Stories of the Highway Patrol'' television show.
  Only 6 months out of the training academy, Trooper O'Keefe displayed 
immense courage by rescuing a 6-year-old girl from a burning car after 
a terrible accident claimed the lives of three people in December of 
1995.
  This true act of bravery was nominated as ``Real Stories'' TV show's 
Trooper of the Year segment where viewers called in and voted for one 
of the four finalists for the award. Trooper O'Keefe's actions captured 
the attention of many as he was pronounced Trooper of the Year.
  Today, I would like to salute the heroic efforts displayed by Trooper 
O'Keefe. While the accomplishments of the Indiana State Police's 
Pendleton Post are significant, it is important to remember that they 
put their life on the line every day for people whom they never have 
met. It is this type of commitment that is truly commendable.
  On behalf of the citizens of Madison County, we are proud to have 
State police officers of such high caliber. Their hard work ethic earns 
them further recognition as Hoosier heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, that concludes my report from Indiana.

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