[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 101 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      HONORING SGT. JOHN PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention of my Colleagues 
to a tragedy in my Congressional District earlier this month. Sgt. John 
Peterson, a loyal and dedicated Alpine, New Jersey, police officer was 
critically injured on the job. His case has brought an outpouring of 
sympathy from our community.
  Sgt. Peterson was directing traffic around a Bell Atlantic cable-
stringing crew on Hillside Avenue in Alpine about 1:30 p.m. July 2 when 
he was struck by a car. The car turned from Church Street onto 
Hillside, then increased in speed while ignoring Sgt. Peterson's orders 
to stop. The sergeant finally attempted to jump out of the way but was 
struck by the car and suffered broken bones in his nose, pelvis, chest 
and shoulders, among other injuries. He was flown by helicopter to 
Hackensack University Medical Center, where he was listed in critical 
but stable condition at last report. A 71-year-old Cresskill woman has 
been changed with failing to comply with the directions of a police 
officer.
  Sgt. Peterson has patrolled the streets of Alpine for more than 25 
years, becoming well-known among the residents of the affluent Bergen 
County borough. He, his wife, Marie, two adolescent children and one 
grandchild live in nearby Emerson. The couple also have two adult 
children. When word of the accident and severe injuries spread, the 
community was shocked. As a result, Alpine residents Ed and Sally 
Desser have begun a fund-raising campaign to help Sgt. Peterson and his 
family pay for medical expenses. A fundraising barbecue will be held at 
the Desser's home this weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, we all know that police officers are among the most 
valued members of our communities. They work nights, weekends and 
holidays to protect us, our families and our property. Their work is 
hard and their pay modest. And every day they know they may be called 
on to put their lives on the line. Officers' spouses and children pray 
each day that they will return home from work safely--not a worry most 
of us have to face. In a small and relatively crime-free community such 
as Alpine, those worries seldom turn into real-life tragedy. But this 
terrible accident reminds us of the dangers a police officer faces 
every moment of every day--whether chasing drug dealers through a 
crime-ridden corner of a major city or directing traffic in a peaceful 
suburb.
  I ask all the Members of the House to join me in offering their 
gratitude to the hard work and dedication of officers like Sgt. 
Peterson across our nation. Let us strive to keep Sgt. Peterson and his 
family in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________