[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GREATER HOUSTON CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.)

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the Greater Houston Concerns of Police 
Survivors (C.O.P.S.) was created to help provide resources to assist 
surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of 
duty. This noble organization helps rebuild the lives of those they 
help, and provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor 
victimization issues. They also educate the public on ways to show 
support for law enforcement professions and their survivors.
   The Greater Houston C.O.P.S. instituted two programs that the public 
can join to show support for the fallen officers and their families. 
Project Blue Light gets residents to place a blue light in a window of 
a home or business. By keeping the blue lights burning, it is a 
constant reminder to everyone that law enforcement officers serve and 
protect the public ``every day, every minute, and every second of the 
year.''
   The Blue Ribbon Program encourages the public and law enforcement 
personnel to tie blue ribbons to their car antennas during National 
Police Week. C.O.P.S. hopes the blue ribbons are a reminder to the 
public that many law enforcement officers have already paid the 
ultimate price and given their lives in the line of duty. They also 
encourage the public to display their blue ribbons outside of National 
Police Week, to honor those officers who are in our communities each 
day, putting their lives on the line to keep the public safe.
   The Greater Houston C.O.P.S. is an active chapter of the national 
organization of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. and continues to 
advocate for citizens in the Greater Houston area to support the law 
enforcement officers lost, still serving, and the families of these 
officers.
   I applaud C.O.P.S. and Greater Houston C.O.P.S. for their dedication 
and commitment to law enforcement and their families.
   Senior Police Officer Gary A. Gryder assigned to the Southeast 
Division, Paroled Offender's Unit, while directing traffic was struck 
and killed at Katy Freeway West service road at Highway 6 on Sunday, 
June 29, 2008. Officer Gryder was a twenty-three (23) year veteran of 
the Department joining on January 7, 1985, entering Police Academy 
Class No. 126. He is survived by his wife, Retired Senior Police 
Officer Debra L. Gryder, who served the Department for over twenty-
seven (27) years, his son, Austin A. Gryder and a daughter, Jennifer 
Streeter. He is also survived by his Father-in-law, Retired Police 
Officer Alfred B. Lewis, who retired from the Department after serving 
over thirty-one (31) years, on March 2, 1981.
   Madam Speaker, I attended the funeral of Officer Gryder along with 
hundreds of other citizens. His wife, Debbie, and his family now join 
the ranks of C.O.P.S. Our communities need to constantly remember our 
fallen police and their families that will need to continue on without 
their loved ones.
   And that's just the way it is.

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