[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CHIEF OF POLICE STEPHEN W. OTT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chief of 
Police Stephen W. Ott upon his retirement after forty-eight years of 
service with the Cheltenham Township Police Department of Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania. His long and dedicated service to the citizens of 
Cheltenham Township has served as an example to all.
  Chief Ott was appointed to the Cheltenham Township Police Department 
on May 11, 1953 and is the longest serving police officer in the 
history of the Township. He began as a patrol officer and then was 
quickly promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted to Lieutenant and later 
was named Chief of Police on February 29, 1980. His tenure as Chief 
lasted twenty-one years. He has been awarded the Bravery Commendation, 
which is the department's second highest official commendation that can 
be awarded.
  During his distinguished career, Chief Ott guided the police 
department as it became the third largest municipal law enforcement 
agency in Montgomery County. He has been instrumental in adding many 
special operations units such as the Canine, Highway Safety, Community 
Relations and Crime Prevention.
  Although Chief Ott's tenure began before the information technology 
age, he embraced technology by adding computers to the Investigative 
Division, police department operations and record keeping and 
dispatching. The structure of the department was also overhauled due to 
Chief Ott's foresight.
  It is a privilege to honor the contributions of Chief Stephen W. Ott 
to the citizens of Cheltenham Township. Chief Ott has my sincere best 
wishes for a long and happy retirement.

                          ____________________