[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E630-E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CHIEF GARY JOHANSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Chief Gary 
E. Johansen on his retirement from the Palos Verdes Estates, 
California, Police Department after ten years of dedicated service.
  Gary joined the Pleasanton, California, Police Department in 1977 
after a career as a high school instructor. His experience as a teacher 
greatly enhanced his law enforcement career and the communities he 
served. He was active in teaching in the fields of traffic accident 
investigation and drug enforcement. He was a patrolman, motor officer, 
sergeant in patrol and training, lieutenant in patrol and 
administration and captain in managing the investigation's division.
  In 1988, Gary was appointed Chief of Police in the City of Palos 
Verdes Estates. During his tenure he guided the Department through 
difficult financial times while improving both training and equipment. 
He established the DARE Anti-drug program in local schools, oversaw 
installation of Computer Aided Dispatch, reduced response time on 
police calls, increased the number of Neighborhood Watch Groups, and 
worked on community outreach to resolve local conflicts in schools or 
among residents.
  Chief Johnson has continued to teach in both school and police 
environments. He holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree from California 
State University in Fresno, is a

[[Page E631]]

graduate of the POST Command College and holds an Executive Certificate 
from California Peace Officers Standards and Training.
  My close friendship with Chief Johansen began in tragedy. He provided 
strength and courage to his officers, staff and families after a masked 
gunman charged into a hotel room during a training session and murdered 
two of his officers. His example helped sustain a shocked and grieving 
community. Gary's retirement to his home in Bend, Oregon, will leave a 
grateful community in his debt.

                          ____________________