[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO AURELIO PALOMARES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Ms. LINDA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on March 31, 2003, 
Aurelio Palomares, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, will be 
retiring after 32 years of distinguished county service.
  Deputy Palomares was born in Leon, Mexico in 1948, and, three years 
later, immigrated to the United States with his parents. After becoming 
a United States citizen, Deputy Palomares enlisted in the U.S. Army and 
served as a medic from 1969 to 1971, until he was honorably discharged.
  After his tour of duty, Deputy Palomares began his career with Los 
Angeles County as a security officer in 1971. Aspiring to be a deputy, 
he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1980.
  Since then, Deputy Palomares has received 23 commendations throughout 
his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and has 
served as a bilingual bridge between law enforcement and the Spanish 
speaking community in Los Angeles County.
  On April 8, 1985, he was commended after handling a bank robbery in 
which the suspect used a handgun and stole over $4,000. Using his 
uncanny ability to remember names and faces of suspects, Deputy 
Palomares reviewed the surveillance video and recognized the suspect as 
an inmate he had seen in the Los Angeles County Jail a few years 
before. Deputy Palomares provided the suspect's name to investigators, 
who subsequently arrested the suspect.
  In 1986, Deputy Palomares was commended by the Mayor of Artesia, 
Robert Jamison, for his ``consistent willingness to do more than what 
is required of him.'' Mayor Jamison also praised him as a ``symbol of 
dedication to the department''.
  On June 2, 1989, Deputy Palomares was commended for his assistance in 
the apprehension of a Paramount gang member who had gotten into a 
shootout with deputies.
  In 1994, Deputy Palomares was again commended, this time by the 
father of a drive-by shooting victim who wrote that Palomares' 
professional treatment of his son ``calmed him and left a lasting and 
positive impression''.
  On March 19, 1996, he was commended by the Department of Corrections 
for ``demonstrating exemplary service and dedication'' in apprehending 
convicted felon parolees and for keeping ``public safety in the 
forefront of his dealing with parolees and the community''.
  In 2000, Deputy Palomares was commended twice, once by a citizen for 
the caring and compassionate way he handled a rescue call in which a 
child was injured. The second commendation arose from his ``prompt 
response and professionalism'' that led to the arrest of a burglary 
suspect who had fired a handgun at the victim.
  Throughout his career, Deputy Palomares has continuously demonstrated 
his dedication to his profession, community, and family. Deputy 
Palomares, who is affectionately called ``AP'' by his colleagues, has 
succeeded in having a close-knit family with his wife, Susan, their 
daughter, Sara, and son, Michael. As a family, the Palomares family 
regularly takes to the open road in an RV and visits all parts of the 
United States and Canada. On the road, he is sure to be tuned into 
National Public Radio, a station he listens to religiously while on 
duty.
  From one public servant to another, I praise Aurelio Palomares for 
his valor in the face of danger and for his service to the community.

                          ____________________