[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 41 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF FALLEN ELKHART POLICE OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2001

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patrolman 
Douglas Michael Adams of the Elkhart, Indiana Police Department, who 
died last week in a tragic automobile accident while on duty.
  Officer Adams was killed in Elkhart when his patrol car was involved 
in a collision while he was responding to a call for assistance from 
another officer. His tragic death reminds us once again of the great 
personal risks which our nation's law enforcement officers take every 
day, and the sacrifices which they and their families often make in the 
line of duty.
  All too often we take our police officers for granted. We forget that 
behind their badges are human beings who put themselves and their 
families at great risk every day in order to serve their communities. 
The thin blue line which protects society from criminals is even more 
fragile when it comes to the police officers themselves. Surely, we owe 
our nation's law enforcement officials a great debt of gratitude for 
the courage and dedication they display every day.
  Patrolman Adams was an outstanding officer. In fact, he was described 
by Elkhart Police Sgt. Brett Coppins as ``the best officer he had ever 
trained.'' Officer Adams grew up in Florida and moved to Elkhart in 
1995. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he graduated from the Indiana Police 
Academy in 2000. Although he had been on the Elkhart police force for 
less than a year, he had already established himself as one of the most 
respected and effective officers in the department.
  Officer Adams will be missed by his family, his colleagues in the 
Elkhart Police Department, and the entire Elkhart community. My 
sympathies and prayers go out to his wife Janet and the entire Adams 
family.

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