[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E730]]
                    HONORING OFFICER RODNEY CHAMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor 
to a true American hero, Officer Rodney Chambers, who without thought 
for his own safety, risked his life to save others from harm. Officer 
Chambers has been chosen to receive the prestigious Officer of the Year 
Award from the Amtrak Police Department because of his selfless heroism 
and courage, and I am proud to join them in saluting his bravery.
  On June 9, 2003, Officer Chambers was on patrol in Washington's Union 
Station when he was dispatched to respond to a call for service from 
Union Station. Security reporting that a male put a grenade in a trash 
receptacle. Officer Chambers responded to First Street where a Union 
Station security officer identified the suspect. Capitol Police Officer 
Michael DeCarlo joined Officer Chambers in pursuit of the suspect. 
Officer Chambers came upon the suspect and instructed him to put his 
hands on the wall. The suspect removed a piece of clothing that he was 
holding and revealed a grenade. He then pulled the pin and attempted to 
drop the grenade.
  Officer Chambers reacted immediately by pinning the suspect against 
the wall while wrestling the grenade away from him, holding the spoon 
and fuse from priming. At this time, Officer DeCarlo arrived on the 
scene and assisted in controlling the suspect.
  As the suspect was being taken into custody by police officers, 
Officer Chambers along with his Sergeant removed himself to a safe 
distance from the area of onlookers while continuing to hold down the 
spoon on the grenade. Officer Chambers maintained his position for 
approximately 15 minutes while waiting for the arrival of the EOD team. 
During this period of time, a search revealed a second grenade.
  The Capitol Police EOD responded and placed both grenades in an 
isolation chamber. Ultimately, both grenades were found to be inactive 
and filled with a gel-like substance. However, during the period of 
time Officer Chambers spent with the grenade he had no way of knowing 
this.
  Officer Chambers was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Amtrak 
Police Department on November 10, 2003; a Resolution from Amtrak's 
Board of Directors on June 12, 2003; the Officer of the Month Award 
from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund; and the Department of 
Transportation Award for heroism from the U.S. Secretary of 
Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta and Federal Railroad Administrator 
Allan Rutter on October 21, 2003.

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