[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 107 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING DETECTIVE SERGEANT BRAUN AND DETECTIVE BALDWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the bravery of two 
law enforcement officers from my district whose heroic acts will be 
honored by The National Association of Police Organizations at their 
annual TOP COPS Awards on Saturday September 11th.
  While all of our nation's law enforcement officers deserve 
recognition for their invaluable and often unnoticed service, the TOP 
COPS Awards pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who performed 
actions that went beyond the call of duty to protect the citizens of 
their community. All of the award recipients displayed extraordinary 
courage and resolve in bringing dangerous criminals to justice.
  I am pleased to recognize and share the story of two individuals from 
my district that have received a TOP COPS honorable mention. In October 
2003, the Somerset Medical Center contacted the county prosecutor's 
office concerning several unexplained deaths of their patients. 
Detective Sergeant Braun, son of a detective lieutenant and a law 
enforcement officer for 24 years, and Detective Baldwin, a law 
enforcement officer for 12 years, began to investigate the case and 
quickly identified 43 year old registered nurse Charles Cullen as a 
suspect. Cullen had worked at more than nine medical facilities for 
brief periods of time in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, all of 
which had recorded an inordinate number of unexplained deaths, many 
occurring during Cullen's shift.
  Based on the evidence these skilled investigators compiled, an arrest 
warrant for Cullen was issued in December 2003. The innovative, unique 
and ethical interrogation techniques used by these veteran law 
enforcement officers, resulted in Cullen's confession. He admitted to 
taking the lives of more than 40 of his patients, 15 at the Somerset 
Medical Center alone, over a 16-year span.
  Thanks to these two outstanding individuals, a killer targeting the 
most vulnerable of victims at our area medical facilities will be 
brought to justice. Their efforts in this case have forced health care 
facilities nationwide to re-examine the hiring practices for their 
nurses.
  I commend the dedication and commitment of Detective Sergeant Braun 
and Detective Baldwin to solve this most tragic and heinous crime and 
extend my heartfelt gratitude to law enforcement officers across the 
country for their service to our communities.

                          ____________________