[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1007-E1008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF LT. OWEN EUGENE SWEENEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 1997

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
constituent and fallen hero, Lt.

[[Page E1008]]

Owen ``Gene'' Sweeney, Jr., of the Baltimore City Police Department. 
Lieutenant Sweeney--a resident of Bel Air, MD--fell in the line of duty 
on May 7, 1997. Mere words cannot describe the shock and grief felt by 
his family, friends, and fellow police officers.
  Gene Sweeney joined the Baltimore City Police Department in 1968 
because he wanted to make a difference. As he worked his way through 
the ranks, Lieutenant Sweeney was always willing to accept 
responsibility. He was a member of the Baltimore City Police Department 
Homicide Squad, and at one time commanded the Crimes Against Persons 
Unit.
  Throughout his 28 years on the force, Gene Sweeney enjoyed great 
respect as an exceptional police officer and leader. He was always 
there when people needed him, both as a cop and as a friend. Those who 
knew him described him best when they said, ``he was a class guy.''
  Gene Sweeney was a devoted husband and father. He and his wife of 25 
years, Elaine, had two sons, Frank and Eugene. Like many families, they 
enjoyed attending Baltimore Orioles baseball games and Ravens football 
games. Most of Owen's happiest family moments, however, were spent 
boating on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. In fact, Gene Sweeney--only 
819 days shy of retirement--had already purchased a boat in 
anticipation of his golden years.
  It was dedication to duty and devotion to the officers he commanded 
that took Lieutenant Sweeney on his last call. Lt. Owen Eugene Sweeney, 
Jr., was mortally wounded while trying to help his fellow officers. 
Ironically, Gene Sweeney's death came only a few days before ``Fallen 
Heroes Day,'' a day on which the citizens of Maryland annually 
commemorate those who have laid down their lives in the performance of 
their duties. His death was a stark reminder of the price these brave 
souls have paid.
  I want to offer my deepest sympathy to Lieutenant Sweeney's family, 
his friends, and the men and women of the Baltimore City Police 
Department. Gene will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

                          ____________________