[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE RETIREMENT OF LIEUTENANT RAYMOND GRIFFITH

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to take this moment to 
reflect on Lieutenant Raymond Griffith's outstanding service on the 
occasion of his retirement from the Cathedral City Police Department. 
The Department will honor him on November 8, 2002.
  Lieutenant Griffith has had a career devoted to public service 
spanning more than 33 years. After graduating as Valedictorian from the 
Los Angeles Police Academy, he began his career at the Orange Police 
Department and remained there for 15 years. He served the department in 
many areas, including patrol, training, internal affairs, detectives, 
juvenile, and nine years in the special weapons unit.
  Lieutenant Griffith's expertise equipped him well for the next step 
in his career, Sergeant of the then-new Cathedral City Police 
Department. As one of the first employees of the department, Lieutenant 
Griffith helped get the operation off to a good start. He played a key 
role in developing policies and procedures, hiring staff and obtaining 
facilities and equipment. Throughout the agency's 18-year history, 
Lieutenant Griffith has been seen as a ``founding father'' of the 
department and an important leader in its operation.
  In addition to serving on the police force, Lieutenant Griffith has 
served as a valued law enforcement instructor and trainer at the 
College of the Desert, Riverside Community College and at the Police 
Academy. He has also served our Nation in the United States Marine 
Corps and the Coast Guard Reserves.
  It is clear that Lieutenant Griffith deserves the praise he has 
received from his colleagues and peers. I extend to him my sincere 
congratulations for his service to the force, broader community and to 
our Nation. Although his presence will be missed, he has left a legacy 
of leadership that will be long remembered.

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