[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A NEW MEXICAN FALLEN HERO, DEPUTY JAMES ``JIMMY'' McGRANE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I bring to your 
attention Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputy, James McGrane. Deputy 
McGrane was killed in the line of duty on March 22, 2006. He was only 
38 years old and leaves behind his wife, Connie; his parents James and 
Rita McGrane; and his sister Ida.
  Deputy McGrane was killed while conducting a nighttime traffic stop. 
Law enforcement officers avoid using the word routine, because they are 
always exposed to danger during these events. James McGrane dutifully 
made that stop on the evening of March 22. Deputy McGrane knew that a 
dangerous traffic stop could come at any time, but he also knew it was 
his job to protect the people of Bernalillo County and he gave his last 
breath honoring his commitment.
  James McGrane always wanted to be in law enforcement. Even as a 
senior at Hope High School in Albuquerque, he talked about a career as 
a police officer. He joined the New Mexico State Police in 1992 when he 
was only 21 years old but he may not have been ready for his first 
assignment. James then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, where 
he met the love of his life--Connie. But law enforcement was in his 
blood, so no one was surprised when he joined the Bernalillo County 
Sheriffs Department in 2002. It wasn't just a job, it was his hobby. 
Deputy McGrane was assigned to the East Mountain Area of the County. It 
was a natural fit because he enjoyed the style of community policing 
common to a rural area.
  While James McGrane was a model law enforcement officer, he had his 
eccentric side. For example, right before midnight, he would walk into 
the squad room with a large bowl of cold oatmeal, sit in the same chair 
and eat it as his Sergeant conducted the nightly briefing. His fellow 
officers would tease him about being a health nut, how he was concerned 
about his appearance and being scared of the supernatural. James would 
take the good natured ribbing and continue working. If he didn't have a 
call he would find something to do. He would look to help out his 
fellow deputies by looking for wanted felons or running a radar 
station. As his wife Connie so graciously stated, ``He was proud to put 
on that uniform.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me and all the residents of New Mexico 
in honoring our fallen hero, Deputy James ``Jimmy'' McGrane. This man 
never quit, never complained and in the end, gave his life for 
something he loved. We thank his parents and his wife for sharing their 
son and husband with us. We owe them a tremendous amount of gratitude 
for James's service and devotion to his community.

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