[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EXCHANGE CLUB OF LONG BRANCH HONORS POLICEMEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this evening, Wednesday, March 4, 1998, the 
Exchange Club of Long Branch, NJ, will honor two officers as Policemen 
of the Year as part of its annual crime prevention week.
  Cpl. Howard Townsend and rookie officer Michael Ahart are being 
honored for preventing a possible case of arson. On May 7, 1997, the 
police received a call to respond to a person possibly attempting to 
burn down a house. Cpl. Townsend and Officer Ahart responded to the 
scene and confronted an individual at the back door of the residence. 
The subject lit a cigarette lighter and instructed the officers not to 
come any closer or he would set fire to the house. The two officers 
responded to the emergency like the well-trained professionals that 
they are. Cpl. Townsend called for fire engines, paramedics, ambulances 
and a negotiator. He prudently advised the emergency vehicles not to 
use their lights or sirens to avoid further alarming the individual in 
the house. Officer Ahart remained with the subject, talking until he 
was able to get close enough to take a lighter and a gasoline-soaked 
rag away from him. It was subsequently discovered that the downstairs 
apartment--where an 85-year-old man and his disabled 83-year-old wife 
lived--had been completely soaked with gasoline.
  Mr. Speaker, the actions of these two police officers are a source of 
pride to the Long Branch community. While I'm sure that Cpl. Howard and 
Officer Ahart would object to being described as heroes, and would 
insist that they were just doing their jobs, their decisive action 
under severe pressure reminds all of us of the great contributions that 
police officers around our country make to our security, often at 
serious personal risk.
  The Long Branch Exchange Club is part of a national organization of 
civic clubs devoted to allegiance to the flag and programs to benefit 
and educate children. They also stage festival events and other 
community programs throughout the year.

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