[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 65 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR 20TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PEACE 
                       OFFICERS' MEMORIAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong 
support for H. Con. Res. 74, which appropriately honors the service of 
officers that were killed in the line of duty. As a result of the 
resolution, the National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary 
shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, the 20th annual National 
Police Officers' Memorial Service, on the Capitol Grounds on May 15, 
2001, or on such other date that may be convenient.
  So many of our law enforcement officers work so hard every year. It 
is appropriate that we honor those that were killed in the line of duty 
in the year 2000. This is an appropriate initiative because there are 
many officers that act heroically everyday but never receive their due 
credit. They must be recognized for their invaluable service because 
they accomplish so much for communities throughout the nation.
  Let me just devote some attention to those who were killed in the 
line of duty in the past from the city of Houston. Officers like Troy 
Alan Blando assigned to the auto theft division, who was killed on May 
19, 1999 when he was attempting to arrest a suspect driving a stolen 
Lexus. The suspect fired a 40 caliber Glock, striking Officer Blando 
once in the chest. Officer Blando made it back to his vehicle and 
radioed for back-up, giving other units his location and a description 
of the suspect. Officers arrived on the scene within seconds and 
arrested the fleeing suspect. Officer Blando died in route to Ben Taub 
Hospital. Officer Blando was a 19 year veteran of the Houston Police 
Department.
  Officer K.D. Kinkaid was killed on May 23, 1998 while he was off duty 
and driving in his truck with his wife. As they drove past an on-coming 
vehicle, an object struck the windshield of the truck. Officer Kinkaid 
turned around and followed the other vehicle. The other vehicle stopped 
and Officer Kinkaid exited his truck and approached the driver's side. 
Officer Kinkaid identified himself as a police officer and proceeded to 
question the suspects in the vehicle. One of the suspects shot Officer 
Kinkaid and they fled the scene in the vehicle. Officer Kinkaid died 
from the gunshot wound a few days later.
  Officer C.H. Trinh died on April 6, 1997 while working at his 
parents' convenience store when a man walked in a attempted to rob him. 
Officer Trinh was shot in the head and died at the scene. The suspect 
who was later caught, confessed to the killing, telling police he had 
entered the store with a handgun and jumped the counter. He stated that 
after taking some of Officer Trinh's jewelry, Tong demanded his wallet. 
When he saw Officer Trinh's police badge he got scared and shot the 
officer.
  Officer D.S. Erickson was killed on December 24, 1995 while she was 
working an extra job directing traffic outside a local church on 
Christmas Eve. She was struck by a passing vehicle. She was transported 
to the hospital but died during surgery.
  Officer G.P. Gaddis was murdered on January 31, 1994 by one of two 
suspects he was transporting to jail for aggravated robbery. Both 
suspects had been searched and handcuffed behind their backs prior to 
being placed in the back seat of the patrol car. One of the suspects 
wiggled his hands, still cuffed, to his front, and retrieved a .380 
hidden on his person. He then shot Officer Gaddis in the back of the 
head as he was driving down the road. The patrol car crashed into a 
house and the suspect escaped from the wrecked car, but was arrested a 
short distance away from the scene.
  These are some of the sorrowing stories of officers who have lost 
their lives in my home city of Houston. Presently, 95 police officers 
from the Houston Police Department have been killed in the line of 
duty.
  I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

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