[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 102 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE POLICE CHIEF CECIL GURR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS CANNON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2001

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to a fallen police chief from Roosevelt, Utah. Police Chief 
Cecil Gurr was ``off duty'' in his car en route to the grocery store to 
run family errands when he heard a police dispatch about a domestic 
dispute at a nearby convenience store. As he had countless other times, 
he responded to the call. Drawing attention away from his officers, 
Chief Gurr deliberately placed himself in the line of fire to protect 
his men. Caught in the exchange of gunfire, Gurr died Friday, July 6th, 
2001 in the line of duty for the Duchesne County community. I send my 
prayers and condolences to his family, neighbors, and the community as 
a whole.
  Cecil Gurr had been Roosevelt's police chief since 1978. He grew up 
in Roosevelt and joined its police force in 1974 after a tour of duty 
in Vietnam and a short stint with the FBI. Nearly 30 years of his life 
was devoted to protecting his hometown of 4,000 residents. He is 
survived by his wife, Lynnette, his three children, and four 
grandchildren. Left behind are neighbors and a community that will 
greatly miss his unconditional self sacrifice, kindness, generosity, 
and quiet demeanor. And, now those left behind must unite to support 
and strengthen one another during the coming months and years as they 
heal.
  ``He was very fair and firm and always had the best interests of the 
community at hand . . . He'd do anything for you. He never asked for 
anything in return,'' stated Roosevelt Police Officer Brad Draper. The 
National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial says that ``it is not how 
these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.''
  We may never truly comprehend the latent danger associated with the 
daily routines of our law enforcement officers. They continually put 
themselves in danger as they stop a vehicle, respond to an incident or 
a suspicious circumstance. The dangers, risks, and violence they 
encounter each day are very real. Sorrowfully, at such times we pause 
to honor the brave law enforcement officers who serve and protect our 
communities. I hope they will routinely be given the honor, respect and 
thanks they deserve--not only when life's fragile nature is revealed.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
remembering this fine man and the selfless life he lived. On behalf of 
the residents of the Third District of Utah, we extend our prayers and 
most heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones.

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