[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO LOCAL HEROS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 1998

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on December 27, 1997, James Floyd, a part-
time Plainville, Massachusetts Police Officer, responded to an accident 
on Mirimiche Road. Officer Floyd found a car submerged in Mirimichi 
Lake when he arrived at the scene. After calling for assistance, he 
proceeded into the freezing water to rescue any victims. He was unable 
at first to free Thomas Spadoni, who was trapped inside. When Officer 
Floyd surfaced, Officers Greg Kiff and Brian Scully were at the 
accident site. Officer Floyd was given a knife and able to cut the 
victim free. Mr. Spadoni was then given CPR by Officers Kiff and 
Scully, who were assisted by paramedics from Plainville and North 
Attleboro. Officer Floyd returned to the water to verify that there 
were no remaining victims in the car.
  Thomas Spadoni was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital and then 
to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Hospital officials 
confirmed that Mr. Spadoni was ``clinically drowned.'' He survived only 
because of the heroic efforts of Officer Floyd an the other officers at 
the scene. When James Floyd was asked why he jumped into the water, he 
stated, ``It was a lot of training and instinct.''
  On January 12, 1998 the citizens of Plainville honored their heroes 
at a special ceremony in the Wood School Library. Officer Floyd was 
given the Medal of Valor for actions that far exceeded expectation. The 
people of Plainville, as well as the citizens of Massachusetts, are 
indeed fortunate to have these truly dedicated public safety officers 
in their service.

                          ____________________