[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY MARSHAL DEVANIE AND DEPUTY SHERIFF SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, last week this Congress recognized the 
contributions and sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and we 
honored the fallen heroes during National Police Week. I rise today to 
remember two law enforcement officers from my district in Louisiana 
whose lives were lost in the line of duty in 2003.
  The men and women of our police forces are the defenders of our 
families, our homes and our communities, and swear an oath to protect 
and serve so that we may live in peace and safety. Last week, law 
enforcement officers gathered with the families of officers killed in 
the line of duty to honor the commitment of our nation's police forces 
and to remember those they have lost.
  Deputy Marshal Glen Devanie was responding to a call for backup from 
the Alexandria City Marshal's Office and was killed in an automobile 
accident. Deputy Sheriff Randy Smith was shot and killed while trying 
to apprehend a parish jail escapee in Mamou, Louisiana. The names of 
Deputy Marshal Devanie and Deputy Sheriff Smith were unveiled to their 
families and colleagues at the Candlelight Vigil at the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial. We will never adequately express our 
gratitude, and our sympathies, to the sacrifice of these two officers.
  I wish to extend to the families of Deputy Marshal Devanie and Deputy 
Sheriff Smith my sympathies for their loss and the recognition of these 
two men as true heroes. I express to the men and women in law 
enforcement our profound gratitude, for their exhibitions of bravery 
and the sacrifices they are called to make. As these noble men and 
women sacrifice for a pledge to protect and to serve, it is our duty to 
honor them, past, present and future, to the highest degree.

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