[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 154 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13993-S13994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT STEVE REEVES AND OFFICER STEPHEN GILNER

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, it has been said that ``Poor is a 
nation which has no heroes. Poorer still is the nation which has them, 
but forgets them.'' I rise today before my colleagues to pay tribute to 
two fallen heroes, Sergeant Steve Reeves and Officer Stephen

[[Page S13994]]

Gilner. These policemen were two of Cobb County's, and indeed 
America's, finest. Unfortunately, in a tragic incident earlier this 
year, they were killed in the line of duty.
  These men dutifully served and protected the great citizens of 
Georgia up until the last moments of their lives, when on July 23, 
1999, these heroes were struck down by gunfire.
  Colleagues described Stephen Gilner as a wonderful human being who 
had never been happier than when, after seven years in the Marine 
Corps, he was handed his police uniform and could make a career out of 
helping people. In 1999, Officer Gilner was nominated for the Officer 
of the Year award after saving a man from a burning van. He died last 
summer trying to save the life of a fellow officer. Officer Gilner 
leaves behind his wife Elisa and their daughter Nicole.
  Sergeant Reeves had been with the Cobb County Police Department for 
fourteen years. Fellow officers remember Reeves for his sense of humor 
and his ability to remain calm under pressure. Just two months before 
the tragic shooting claimed his life, Steve Reeves had been promoted to 
Sergeant. The beloved hero was twice decorated--once for saving the 
life of a fellow officer during a struggle with an armed suspect and 
again for rescuing a family from their burning house while he was off-
duty. Sergeant Reeves is survived by his wife, Beth, and two sons, 
Clint and Chris.
  The selfless bravery and public service displayed by these heroes are 
in the finest tradition of the United States. I am sure my colleagues 
in the Senate will join me as I extend my thoughts and prayers to 
Elisa, Nicole, Beth, Clint and Chris. This tragic incident is the first 
of its kind in more than thirty five years where two police officers 
were killed in the same incident in the Atlanta Metro area. Our prayers 
are sent up to these men in heaven who made the ultimate sacrifice for 
their fellow citizens.

                          ____________________