[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1860-E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CITY OF MANITOWOC HONORS SLAIN POLICE OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, this past Monday, September 28th, more than 
700 law enforcement officers from throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest 
gathered at First Reformed Church in Oostburg, Wisconsin to pay their 
respects to police officer Dale Ten Haken.
  Officer Ten Haken, a member of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin police force, 
was shot to death on the evening of September 23rd during a seemingly 
routine traffic investigation. A five-year veteran of the Manitowoc 
Police Department, Dale was a dedicated public servant who loved police 
work, the career he had chosen as had his father and two brothers 
before him. Dale was 27 years old, and was engaged to be married in a 
few months.
  The sorrow shown by the officers who came together to honor Dale as 
one of their own is shared by the people of Wisconsin and especially by 
the citizens of Manitowoc whom he served. Because Dale's death was the 
result of a senseless, unprovoked and unnecessary attack, the people's 
grief is compounded by a sense of anger and bewilderment.
  Officer Ten Haken had stopped four teenagers to investigate why the 
car they were driving had no license plates and the headlights were not 
turned on. As he called for another officer to assist him, he was shot 
three times in the back. Although formal charges will not be filed 
until next week, it appears the two 17-year old suspects feared a 
return to the local judicial system. Both have prior police records and 
were currently wanted for bail and probation violations.
  In Manitowoc, an official period of mourning continues until Saturday 
morning, October 3rd, when a public memorial service for Dale Ten

[[Page E1861]]

Haken will be held in Washington Park. It is fitting, if ironic, that 
the memorial service take place in this common area in the center of 
the city, a lovely spot where the suspects and other young people have 
been known to hang out and pass time.
  Mayor Kevin Crawford, in a newspaper column this week in the local 
Herald Times Reporter, has issued a wake-up call for the people of his 
city, asking for a renewed focus on and commitment to youth. Said 
Crawford, ``We need to `wake up' Manitowoc. Dale Ten Haken wants us to. 
In our homes and our schools and our churches we need to decide if 
we're giving our kids everything they need to grow up good and strong 
and moral.''
  Unfortunately, senseless acts of youth violence crowd today's 
headlines, and we search for the causes for young lives that spin out 
of control. As we ponder the whys and wherefores of this particular 
Wisconsin tragedy, we mostly feel a sense of tremendous loss for a good 
man who died much too young, a police officer who gave up his life 
while protecting those of his fellow citizens.
  Dale Ten Haken's name will be the first one added to the new monument 
to fallen Manitowoc County police officers dedicated just four months 
ago. Hopefully, his will be the last.
  As the city of Manitowoc pays tribute to Dale Ten Haken and reflects 
on his sacrifice, it is fitting that this House join in commemorating 
the life of a man committed to serving others and to making a 
difference.

                          ____________________