[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4156-S4157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     DEPUTY SHERIFF MANUEL VILLEGAS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I honor the memory of deputy 
sheriff Manuel Villegas, a dedicated public servant committed to 
protecting the safety of his community, the State of California, and 
the Nation. Just 17 months into his tenure with the Riverside County 
Sheriff's Department, Deputy Villegas tragically lost his life in an 
automobile collision while en route to a domestic violence call on 
March 19, 2007. It is testament to the heroism and commitment to duty 
of this young deputy sheriff that he died while trying to protect 
someone in need.
  A native of Lindsay, CA, Deputy Villegas served honorably in both the 
U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army before joining the Riverside County 
Sheriff's Department. Deputy Villegas's exceptional work ethic and 
performance in the Army Airborne School earned him the parachutist 
rating and enabled him to join the selective ranks of the Army's 
paratroopers. For his service in the Army Special Forces Group, 307th 
Infantry Battalion and the Special Forces, 2nd Battalion, Deputy 
Villegas was awarded numerous distinctions including the Bronze Star 
Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and 
the National Defense Medal. He also earned campaign medals for his 
service in Afghanistan and Kuwait.
  Deputy Villegas' decorated service in the U.S. Armed Forces was 
followed by an equally distinguished record at the Sheriff's Basic 
Academy. He proved to be an exemplary recruit upon entering the academy 
on November 14, 2005. He graduated first in his class and was awarded 
the California Academy Directors Association Award for serving as a 
model of excellence to fellow students and encouraging others to strive 
for success. Athletically talented, Deputy Villegas even set the Basic 
Academy's record for the mile-and-a-half run.
  Deputy Villegas is described by his colleagues as having been an 
exemplary deputy sheriff who was well respected and highly invested in 
making

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a difference in the lives of others through his career in law 
enforcement. Deputy Villegas demonstrated a commitment to the highest 
standards of his profession and continually sought to distinguish his 
service to his community and country through hard work and 
perseverance. He serves as a shining example of the talent, bravery, 
and richness of our Nation's law enforcement officials and military 
personnel.
  The impact of Deputy Villegas' loss will have an immeasurable impact 
on the lives of his loved ones. His wife Xochitl, four children, Stacie 
Lee, Ezequiel, Xavier and Israel, and his colleagues at the Riverside 
County Sheriff's Department have lost a beloved husband, devoted 
father, and cherished friend. I am saddened to lose this exceptional 
public servant, yet I am grateful for the heroic sacrifice that he made 
to protect his community.

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