[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO OFFICER JASON D. VIA

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                           HON. STEVE AUSTRIA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. AUSTRIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Officer 
Jason D. Via, who was named the 2008 Springfield Police Patrolman's 
Association Patrolman of the Year.
  Officer Jason D. Via began his career with the Springfield Police 
Division on November 17, 2003. After completing his recruit training, 
he was assigned to the uniform patrol, where he continues to serve 
today. He is an extremely dependable, well respected officer who is a 
person his fellow officers and citizens can rely upon. Jason was 
nominated for the Patrolman of the Year Award for 2008 because of these 
exceptional traits.
  During 2008, Officer Via was selected to participate in the Safe 
Streets Task Force with three other officers. During his service in the 
Task Force, he took a subject who was arrested for trying to solicit 
another officer and turned this person into a confidential informant. 
Using this information, he was able to make several arrests of street-
level drug dealers. From these arrests, he was able to ``flip'' some of 
them and arrest several suppliers.
  Upon making his last arrest, he seized over seven ounces of crack 
cocaine, as well as at least $5,000 in cash. Due to his diligence and 
hard work, approximately nine mid-level dealers and suppliers were 
arrested, making our streets safer.
  For these reasons Officer Via deserves our gratitude and special 
thanks.

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