[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, because I was attending the funeral 
services of police officer Dale Claxton, who was shot in his patrol 
car, I was not present to participate and vote on Wednesday, June 3, 
1998.
  Mr. Speaker, on the morning of Friday, May 29, 1998, Cortez Police 
Officer Dale Claxton was fatally wounded. Officer Claxton was a 
cherished and beloved husband, father and member of the community of 
Cortez, Colorado. He is survived by his wife Susan Claxton and his 
children Judy Claxton Choate, Caitlin Claxton, Colton Claxton and 
Corbin Claxton. The tragic and sudden death of Officer Claxton has left 
a tremendous hole in a community and he will be greatly missed.
  Additionally, deputies Jason Bishop and Todd Martin of Montezuma 
County Sheriff's Department were wounded as well. The death of officer 
Claxton as well as the injuries sustained by deputies Bishop and Martin 
remind us that every day thousands of brave men and women put their 
lives on the line providing the thin blue wall between the law abiding 
citizenry and lawlessness.




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