[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO POLICE OFFICER TOM HARWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Police Officer Tom 
Harwood, who has been named U.S. Police Officer of the Year by the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police. The International 
Association of Chiefs of Police is the oldest law enforcement advocacy 
group in existence and has members in 92 countries.
  Officer Harwood was born and raised in Kankakee, IL, and has worked 
at the Grant Park, IL, police station for 9 years. He presently lives 
in Bourbonnais, IL, with his wife, Paula, and their two children, 
Thomas, Jr., and Victoria.
  Officer Harwood's selection was based on several factors, but chief 
among them was the professional performance displayed while injured in 
the line of duty. On September 29, 1996, Officer Harwood had just 
stopped one of two suspicious cars which had been speeding in the 
village. After stopping the car and attempting to identify its 
occupants, the second car turned around, ran into Officer Harwood and 
eventually crashing into the police car. Despite his injuries, Officer 
Harwood rose to his feet, handcuffed the two male occupants of the 
cars, locked the two female occupants of the cars into the caged seat 
of the squad car, and then radioed for backup. Officer Harwood managed 
to remain conscious until help arrived.
  There are no words to adequately describe the supreme sacrifice made 
by brave officers like Mr. Harwood who patrol our communities everyday 
in defense of our families, freedom, and children's safety. Our local 
law enforcement walk down the alleys the rest of us would never 
consider. I urge this body to identify and recognize other police 
officers in their communities whose actions have clearly made a 
difference to their community's well being and safety.

                          ____________________