[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FALLEN OFFFICERS IN TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this past Tuesday will be remembered as 
one of the darkest in the history of the town of Pleasanton in Atascosa 
County. TX. Three brave officers of the law fell in the line of duty. 
Two others received wounds. I rise to pay tribute to these men and 
their families for enduring the ultimate sacrifice. It is appropriate 
for all of us in this House to pause and reflect on this terrible 
tragedy.
  While news reports are still coming in, the story appears to unfold 
as follows. Late Tuesday night, officers from the Atascosa County 
Sheriff's Department, the Pleasanton Police Department, and the Texas 
Department of Public Safety responded to what turned out to be a bogus 
call alleging a domestic dispute near Pleasanton, a small and close-
knit community south of San Antonio. Two Atascosa Sheriff's deputies, 
first Thomas Monse, then mark Stephenson, arrived at the scene, only to 
meet a storm of high-powered gun fire from an assailant who made the 
phony call. The shooter, who had been out of jail only a few hours on a 
domestic abuse arrest, allegedly then took the deputies' own guns and 
executed them. These officers never had a chance.
  Next to arrive on the scene was Texas state trooper Terry Miller, 
sent in to find out why the first two did not respond to calls from the 
dispatcher. He got there almost twenty minutes after Officer Stephenson 
and had just enough time to radio in the shooting of the first two 
deputies. But he too was shot and killed in the ambush.
  When dozens of officers responded to Trooper Miller's call, the 
assailant, still hiding in some nearby underbrush, shot two more 
officers before he was surrounded. He then apparently took his own life 
as the two wounded officers were flown by helicopter for treatment in 
San Antonio.
  This tragic event, during which over 100 rounds of ammunition were 
fired, leaves us in great sadness, with more questions than we can 
answer. We cannot bring back Officers Miller, Monse, and Stephenson, 
who bravely gave their lives to ensure that others would be safe. But 
we can honor their memory and convey our deep condolences to the love 
ones they left behind.
  Officer Miller, the first Texas trooper killed since 1994 and the 
74th trooper killed in the line of duty, leaves behind a wife and two 
children, ages 13 and 22 months. Officer Monse, a former Bexar County 
deputy, leaves behind a wife and four children. Officer Stephenson, who 
also served our nation in the military for seven years, leaves behind a 
wife and three children.
  To the two wounded men, Atascosa County deputy Carl Fisher and 
Pleasanton police officer Luis Tudyk, we wish the best in a speedy 
recovery.
  This unfortunate incident sends a reminder to us all of the 
dedication of law enforcement officers who each day leave the security 
of their homes and families to serve those in need all across America. 
Their sacrifice keeps us free.

                          ____________________