[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HEROISM OF RONALD WATERS

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who 
nearly lost his life in the pursuit of Justice, Mr. Ronald Waters, of 
Columbia, South Carolina.
  Waters was driving along Interstate 95 in North Carolina around noon 
on September 23, 1997 when he noticed a North Carolina Highway Patrol 
car on the side of the road and a Cumberland County Sheriff's car in 
the median. Upon approaching the scene, he observed one of the officers 
laying face down next to his patrol car. He then noticed two 
unidentified men moving between the patrol car and a green Toyota, also 
parked on the side of the road. Waters called 911 emergency on his 
cellular phone and informed the operator of the situation. He then 
pulled off the road to investigate, and upon getting out of his car he 
heard several gun shots.
  The two unidentified men then drove off in the Toyota and Waters 
followed the suspects, all the while relaying their position to the 911 
dispatcher. The two men then exited the interstate and traveled down a 
dirt road. Waters, out of concern for the victim's families, pulled to 
the side and waited for their return.
  About five minutes later the Toyota returned and Waters drove in the 
opposite direction, hoping the suspects would assume he was just 
another motorist. Once they were out of sight he moved towards the 
entrance ramp of the interstate, mistakenly under the impression that 
the two men were in front of him. Not seeing them on the ramp, Waters 
looked in his mirror and noticed that they were parked on the overpass 
behind him. Waters then pulled off the ramp and stopped, once again 
informing the dispatcher of their location.
  About that time the Toyota began closing in on him at a high rate of 
speed. As Waters pulled out the two men began to fire at him with an 
AK-47 assault rifle. The suspects fired several rounds which struck a 
critical portion of his vehicle, leaving it disabled. Now stranded on 
the side of the road, Waters watched as the two men pulled up along 
side him. Then one of the men pointed the assault rifle directly at 
Waters and pulled the trigger. Waters felt at this point that he would 
never see his wife or infant son again, but for some unexplained 
reason, the rifle jammed and would not fire. The two men then sped off, 
only to be arrested by officers shortly thereafter, due in large part 
to the constant contact Waters had with the dispatcher in relaying 
their position to the authorities.
  Unfortunately, the two police officers who were shot in this 
incident, Highway Patrol Trooper Ed Lowry and Cumberland County 
Sheriff's Deputy David Hathcock, were both killed as a result of gun 
shot wounds inflicted by the two suspects. While it may not serve to 
make this tragic loss of life any easier for the victim's families, it 
certainly goes to show that crime does not pay, and those who commit 
these atrocities will be apprehended.
  This display of courage by Waters exemplifies the characteristics of 
true heroism, and serves to reassure the many law abiding citizens that 
good really does triumph over evil. So often acts of selflessness such 
as this go unnoticed simply because the danger faced is of a lesser 
degree, but Ronald Waters is one of many who have risked their lives 
for what they know to be right.
  I am pleased to stand before you today, Mr. President, to relay this 
story of courage and valor personified to its greatest degree. I join 
the State of South Carolina in honoring Ronald Waters for his adamant 
service and devotion to Justice, and I thank you for allowing me the 
time to speak.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona is recognized.

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