[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO CHIEF WILLIAM TURK

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief William Turk of 
the Boulder City Police Department, who has retired after twenty years 
of dedicated service.
  Bill began working for the Boulder City Police Department in 1986. He 
started as patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks as a 
Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and finally, as Chief of Police. Even 
though he was Chief of Police, he was always ready to serve as backup 
if needed. He learned this philosophy from the much larger Oklahoma 
City Police department where he served for ten years prior to coming to 
Boulder City. One night, he was responding to a call and requested 
another officer to assist him. When the dispatch said no units were 
available, he was stunned when the city's police chief himself showed 
up minutes later. The Chief had been listening to the radio traffic 
from his scanner at home.
  Bill left Oklahoma City seeking a department where he could actually 
have time to solve problems he was called out to. Boulder City, with 
its low crime rate, fit the bill. Many officers have the belief they 
need to make as many arrests and citations as possible, but not Bill 
Turk. He believed in Community Policing. Boulder City residents would 
often notice pink slips on their cars, warning them of a parking 
violation, instead of tickets. Cars also received courtesy reminders if 
their doors were left unlocked. Once, several businesses were 
repeatedly complaining about kids leaving their bikes all over the 
sidewalk by a pizza parlor they frequented. The problem was the kids 
had no other place to put their bikes. Sitting behind the police 
station was a bike rack that never got used. The department donated the 
rack to the pizza parlor. Problem solved. These are just a few examples 
of how Bill worked hard not only to make the town safe but also to make 
it a better community.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Turk is a well-respected model of honesty and 
integrity. His career will stand as an example to all those who set 
forth to protect and serve. It is an honor to recognize him on the 
floor of the House and I wish him the best with retirement.

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