[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RONALD WATERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 1998

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of the 
House the heroic actions of Mr. Ronald Waters, of Lexington, South 
Carolina. Last September, Mr. Waters was traveling on Interstate 95, 
near Fayetteville, North Carolina, when he noticed a North Carolina 
Highway Patrol officer lying face down next to his patrol car, which 
had blue lights flashing. Nearby, were a Cumberland County Sheriff's 
patrol car and another vehicle. He also observed two men moving between 
the patrol cars. Mr. Waters contacted emergency assistance from his 
cellular telephone and he stopped his vehicle. As he looked back, he 
heard shots being fired. At the scene, Highway Trooper Ed Lowry and 
Sheriff's Deputy David Hathcock were dead. While maintaining contact 
with the 911 dispatchers, Mr. Waters followed the two men as they left 
the scene and he tracked them as they traveled on and off of the 
Interstate highway. At one point, shots were fired from the suspect 
vehicle at Mr. Waters' vehicle, which disabled the Waters' vehicle. The 
bullets punctured a tire, hit the rear bumper, and severed a wire to 
the fuel pump of the vehicle which Mr. Waters was driving. Then, the 
suspect vehicle pulled alongside of Mr. Waters and one of the men aimed 
an AK-47 at him. Fortunately, the rifle jammed and the suspect vehicle 
drove off. However, Mr. Waters later observed that, when faced with a 
rifle being aimed at him at close range, he feared that he would never 
again see his wife and his infant son.
  The information that was provided by Mr. Waters allowed law 
enforcement officers to apprehend the two suspects on charges of first-
degree murder. At great risk to his own personal safety, Mr. Waters 
became involved in a tragic situation. Due to his actions, law 
enforcement officers were able to capture the persons who are suspected 
of the deaths of two law enforcement officers and, also, to prevent 
possible further injury to others. For his selfless actions, the 
Governor of South Carolina presented Mr. Waters with our State's 
highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto.
  Ronald Waters is a shining example of someone who answered the call 
of duty to his fellow man. He is truly a great American.

                          ____________________