[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF ALAMEDA COUNTY'S TOP COP, SHERIFF CHARLES PLUMMER

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 2007

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Alameda 
County Sheriff Charles Plummer who spent his last day on the job as 
Alameda County's top cop on January 8, 2007. His retirement ceremony 
included helicopter flyovers, bagpipes and literally hundreds of 
handshakes. It was a fitting ceremony to a stellar 50-plus years in law 
enforcement.
  A native of Fort Bragg, on the Mendocino coast, Charley Plummer 
worked as a teen in a shingle mill and as a lumberjack. One evening, 
hitchhiking back to Fort Bragg, a California Highway Patrol officer 
picked him up. The officer told him he had the right build and a good 
personality and should become a cop. Soon thereafter he left Santa Rosa 
Junior College and took an exam to become a Berkeley police officer and 
joined the force in 1952.
  In 1973, Charley was named acting chief in Berkeley, a post he held 
for 9 months. He left Berkeley to become police chief in Hayward. He 
held this position for 10 years before friends convinced him to run for 
sheriff. He won the race for sheriff and the rest is history.
  He changed the Alameda County Sheriff Department's culture by 
bringing a high level of discipline to the department. Under his 
leadership, the department has become the only law enforcement agency 
west of the Mississippi to gain accreditations in five different 
functions: bomb squad, health care, law enforcement, corrections and 
crime lab. He also entered the department into lucrative law 
enforcement contracts with AC Transit and BART.
  Although Charley Plummer will no longer hold the title of Alameda 
County Sheriff, he will be known as Sheriff Emeritus and will devote 
his time to charity. He serves as a director or trustee on numerous 
boards and will continue his exemplary commitment and devotion to 
making a difference in the community.
  Charley has never minced words nor failed to step up to the plate to 
take responsibility for activities or implementation of programs for 
the safety and welfare of residents in Alameda County. He leaves a 
legacy of commitment, straight-talk and no-nonsense service. He has cut 
to the chase and his accomplishments are beyond measure. I join his 
friends, colleagues and admirers in thanking Sheriff Emeritus Plummer 
for his exemplary track record and marathon of service.

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