[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1064-E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SHANE BENNETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2002

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to honor the 
memory of a brave law enforcement officer, Harris County Sheriff's 
Deputy Shane Bennett. Deputy Bennett was killed early Wednesday 
morning, as he and two other deputies charged into a home and stopped a 
robbery and assault on an innocent family.
  He and his fellow officers were summoned by a 911 call from a 
teenaged girl. Five gang members had broken into their house, and were 
in threatening the ten people inside with guns. Tragically, it appears 
that they had made a mistake, since they were demanding jewelry, money, 
and drugs, none of which these innocent people possessed.
  While only two members of the family were shot, a woman of 22 and her 
3 month old son, the outcome could have been much worse if the officers 
had not arrived and come to the family's rescue.
  These assailants were all members of the Latin Kings street gang, and 
two of them had criminal records, including weapons possession charges. 
Two of them were killed by the officers, and the rest were tracked down 
and captured by an intensive manhunt through the nearby woods and homes 
by officers from a half-dozen local police agencies.
  After hearing of the shooting, law-enforcement officers from all over 
the Houston area gathered at Memorial Hermann Hospital, prepared to 
roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life for their brother in 
arms.
  Sadly, as they arrived, they were met with the news of Deputy 
Bennett's death, and could do nothing but comfort his family, and each 
other.
  Shane Bennett, 29 years old, was a member of the class of 1990 at 
Spring High School, in north Harris County. He had been patrolling the 
second patrol district, which covers 300 square miles of unincorporated 
Harris County, since 1997.
  His colleagues remember him as a dedicated officer, who loved his 
job. He was

[[Page E1065]]

known for his eagerness to combat the drug trade in this area, and was 
often involved in breaking up meth labs, a dangerous job due to the 
volatility of the chemicals used in the process.
  Ed Christensen, president of the Harris County Deputies' Association, 
remembered him as a tireless and hardworking officer. He also said, 
``Shane died a hero. What would have happened if he hadn't been there? 
He laid down his life and gave the ultimate sacrifice. He absolutely 
laid down his life for his fellow man.''
  Deputy Bennett is survived by his wife, Teresa, and his 20 month old 
daughter, Alyssa. According to reports, as he lay mortally wounded, the 
name of the young girl who will never know her father was the last 
words he was able to speak.
  We are indebted to Shane Bennett for his courage, and we share the 
grief of his family and offer kind words, knowing that it is a poor 
substitute for their loss.
  Every day, ordinary men and women make an extraordinary commitment 
when they put on the badge that symbolizes the oath they took to 
protect and serve, the badge that also makes them a target. Every day, 
they leave their families behind, not knowing if they will come home 
that night.
  Congress should continue to make sure that we keep our commitment to 
the law enforcement by providing funding for more officers, better 
equipment, and advanced training. It not only saves the lives of 
officers, but it makes our families, our homes, and our neighborhoods a 
safer place to live.

                          ____________________