[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 157 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHOOTING OF SAN FRANCISCO 
                      POLICE OFFICER JAMES GUELFF

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
San Francisco Police Officer James Guelff on the fifth anniversary of 
his death in the line of duty.
  This coming Saturday, the City of San Francisco will honor Officer 
Guelff by having his name enshrined at the corner of Pine and Franklin 
in San Francisco where he was slain on November 13, 1994.
  Responding to a distress call, Officer Guelff, stationed at Northern 
Police Station, reached the crime scene and was immediately fired upon 
by a suspect shielded by body armor and armed with an AK 223, an Uzi, 
two semi-automatic pistols, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. In 
an attempt to defend himself, Officer Guelff returned fire but his 
police issue revolver could not penetrate the gunman's kevlar vest and 
bulletproof helmet. Officer Guelff was killed under the barrage of the 
assailant's bullets as he attempted to reload his revolver.
  Officer James Guelff bravely faced an assailant with defensive armor 
and firepower no police officer should ever confront. In response to 
his death, his relatives and fellow officers embarked on a national 
campaign to restrict felons' access to body armor.
  This incident helped raise awareness of the unacceptable risks 
officers face on the street when they encounter gunmen with equal or 
better defensive protection. The bottom line is that criminals who use 
body armor have a deadly offensive weapon.
  It is a tribute to the memory of Office James Guelff and a tribute to 
the persistence and dedication of his family and fellow officers that 
California passed legislation restricting the use of body armor by 
felons.
  Earlier this year, I introduced the James Guelff Body Armor Act of 
1999 to enact Federal regulations on body armor. First, the measure 
increases the penalties criminals receive if they commit a crime 
wearing body armor. Specifically, a violation will lead to an increase 
of two levels under the Federal sentencing guidelines. Second, it makes 
it unlawful for violent felons to purchase, use, or possess body armor.
  This legislation is included in S. 254, the Juvenile Justice Crime 
bill, which is in its final negotiations in a joint House-Senate 
conference committee.
  It is my hope that the Conference Committee will finish its job 
quickly so that we can provide a lasting tribute to Officer James 
Guelff. This legislation will better protect our police officers by 
making sure they are adequately supplied with body armor, and that 
hardened criminals are deterred from using body armor.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me on this special day in 
honoring Officer James Guelff and celebrating the life of a true 
American hero.

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