[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E752-E753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING SGT. KERRY PORTERFIELD ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of Senior Sergeant Kerry Porterfield as he retires from a thirty-one 
year career of exemplary service as an officer of the St. Helena Police 
Department.
  As a native of St. Helena, I know first hand the impact that Kerry 
has had on our community while both on and off duty. As a police 
officer, his dedication to the pursuit of justice is admirable. With 
over 2,000 hours of law enforcement classes and 60,000 hours of 
experience under his belt, Kerry has a wealth of experience and know-
how that will be sorely missed. A self-taught computer guru and driving 
force behind the adoption of new law enforcement technologies, he has 
helped make the St. Helena Police Department the modern and effective 
institution it is today. This year, with crime at a five-year low, 
Kerry has been honored as ``Officer of the Year.''
  A devoted family man, Kerry and his wife, Dianne, have two daughters, 
Jennifer and Kareese. Once named ``Father of the Year'' by his daughter 
Kareese's pre-school, Kerry loves to spend time with his daughters, and 
was very involved in their school age activities.
  After attending Napa High School, Kerry went to Napa Valley Junior 
College where he discovered a fascination with law enforcement. Upon 
graduating with an associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Kerry became 
a patrolman with the St. Helena Police Department on December 1, 1970.
  As the son of Virginia and Cliff Porterfield, both Navy veterans, 
Kerry is a devoted fan of the Blue Angels, and often travels to see 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Kerry Porterfield has served the people of the 
St. Helena, California with both enthusiasm for his work and steadfast 
professionalism. He is an invaluable asset

[[Page E753]]

to our community and I speak on behalf of the people of St. Helena when 
I thank Kerry Porterfield for his outstanding service and wish him luck 
in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________