[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E256-E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE OF GREENWOOD COUNTY SHERIFF MATT SAMUELS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Tiahrt and I join 
together today to honor the life of fallen Greenwood County Sheriff 
Matt Samuels. On Wednesday, January 19, Sheriff Matt Samuels was shot 
while serving a search warrant and an arrest warrant near Virgil, 
Kansas. He died in the line of duty while serving his community.
  Protecting and serving was in Matt's nature. His father had served as 
county sheriff before him, so he grew up around the principles of law 
and justice. As a second-generation sheriff, Matt took service beyond 
just his job. He was seen as a leader, involved in the Special Olympics 
and serving as President of the local Kiwanis Club.
  Sheriff Samuels was devoted to law enforcement, but more than that, 
he was devoted to the people of Greenwood County. While still in high 
school, Samuels began working as a part-time jailer. After graduation, 
he married Tamara Bechtle, then attended the

[[Page E257]]

Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. He was elected to his first 
term as sheriff in 2000.
  1979 to 2005. That's 26 years of public service. As Sheriff Samuels 
was only 42 years old at his death, it means he spent over half of his 
life serving the citizens of Greenwood County.
  As his friend, John Lehnherr said, ``Matt lived to be a sheriff, and 
he died being a sheriff.''
  Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Kansas turned out on 
Sunday, January 23, for Sheriff Samuels's funeral. The service was held 
in the local junior-senior high school gymnasium, and it was standing 
room only--plus an additional packed room, where the crowd watched the 
service on television.
  It was fitting that Sheriff Samuels's casket traveled its route from 
the memorial service to his final resting place in a white pickup truck 
owned by the sheriff's department. The motorcade following that white 
truck included government and law enforcement vehicles of all kinds, 
from all over the area. It took half an hour for the entire procession 
to pass by.
  People like Matt Samuels put on their uniforms every day, and go out 
to try and make their communities better and safer. They know, whenever 
they wear their badges, that they may face danger. But they take that 
risk. For us. For our children and our families. For all of us.
  Matt Samuels made the ultimate sacrifice. At first glance, it seems 
unfair that Matt met his end while delivering warrants. After all, he 
was just doing his job. Who knew that gunfire would erupt and a daylong 
standoff would ensue? Who knew that anyone would be hurt, much less 
killed? Let us all remember that Sheriff Samuels did not die a 
senseless death. His job--even the routine duties--all of his duties 
carried great importance.
  Those questions are the key to what makes us call law enforcement 
officers brave. No one knows what will happen when an officer confronts 
a suspect, whether that confrontation occurs at a house in the country 
or in the middle of a burglary. Law enforcement officers face the 
unknown. They apprehend suspects, for the good of their fellow 
citizens, despite the danger, despite the possibility of being injured, 
or even killed.
  Being killed in the line of duty carries with it a certain nobility. 
But all the nobility and honor in the world can't ease the pain of 
losing Matt Samuels. His wife, son, and daughter are in pain. His 
community grieves. Rare are men like Matt Samuels, and we all feel he 
was taken too soon.
  Congressman Tiahrt and I pray for the Samuels family. We pray for 
Eureka, Kansas, and for Greenwood County. We mourn the death of Matt 
Samuels and know he will be missed.

                          ____________________