[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E319-E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF STEVEN S. CAUDLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, the Henrico County Division of Police has 
lost one of its best. Steven S. Caudle was suddenly taken from his 
wife, Susan, and two daughters, Kristen, 19, and Jamie, 15 when the car 
in which he was riding veered off the road on January 26, 2001.
  A Richmond native, Mr. Caudle was a 21-year veteran of the Henrico 
County Division of Police. Upon graduating from Highland Springs High 
School, he served four years in the army as a military policeman. He 
then returned home to Henrico County and began his law enforcement 
career. He worked for a number of years in the Street Crimes Unit 
before moving to a job providing technical support on narcotics 
investigations. Eventually, he returned to his roots and served an 
additional four years with the Uniform Division.
  Described by friends and family as a soft-spoken southern gentleman 
with a great sense of humor and an incredible laugh, Mr. Caudle was an 
enthusiastic collector of Civil War artifacts. During his free time he 
liked to play pool, go fishing for rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay, and 
spend time with his daughters skiing and tubing on the Pamunkey River.

[[Page E320]]

  Those who knew him best lauded his skills as an officer, a person, 
and most importantly as a father. According to Sgt. J.J. Riani, ``the 
thing that came most naturally to him was being his daughters' 
father.'' His wife of nearly 25 years described Mr. Caudle as ``the 
best detective there ever was. If there was a crime out there, he could 
solve it. He lived life to its fullest. He didn't waste a moment of 
living. He was always there for his friends, willing to help anybody at 
anytime for anything.''
  Perhaps Mr. Caudle's legacy can best be described by his children. 
Daughter Jamie, 15, said, ``I think my dad was like probably the 
coolest parent ever. I could tell him anything. He was not only my 
father but my best friend. I loved him and he loved me and I know I 
made him proud.'' Older daughter Kristen, 19, said, ``Daddies are 
supposed to be heroes. They're supposed to be strong. They're not 
supposed to die.''
  Today we remember a true hero. Steve Caudle put service before self 
and family ahead of all others. Steve will be missed not only by the 
people who knew him, but by those in the community that he served with 
dignity, respect and true heroism.

                          ____________________