[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 39 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A FINAL TRIBUTE TO LT. MICHAEL J. RENAULT

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2009

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, The City of Largo I have the 
privilege to represent paid tribute to one of their fallen police 
officers Saturday, when they laid to rest Lt. Michael J. Renault who 
died too early at the age of 37.
  The love and respect the community had for Mike was evident as 
hundreds of his family, friends, neighbors and fellow officers turned 
out to honor his life and his valiant eight month battle against 
stomach cancer. They all recounted what a devoted family man Mike was 
as he and his wife Jennifer had three beautiful children--Hunter, Luke 
and Hannah.
  Beverly and I had the opportunity to spend considerable time with 
Mike and his family these past few months and know that his wife and 
children were the center of his life. They were a source of great 
strength to him during his battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
  We also know of the deep respect his fellow law enforcement officers 
in Largo and throughout the area had for Mike. Largo Police Chief 
Lester Aradi summed it up nicely in his eulogy Saturday saying, ``The 
way he led and the values he taught will long live on with those he 
mentored on the force.''
  Mike's parents Rev. James and Judy Renault said Mike knew early on 
that he wanted to be a law enforcement officer. In fact, at 16 he 
chased down a thief who robbed the store where he worked. He joined the 
Largo Police Department soon after his graduation from college and 
moved up through the ranks quickly during his 16 years on the force and 
ultimately was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He earned the Medal 
of Valor for saving the life of a suicidal man. More importantly, he 
earned the friendship, the trust and the abiding respect of those he 
served with.
  Madam Speaker, following my remarks, I would like to include an 
article by Stephanie Hayes of The St. Petersburg Times entitled ``Largo 
officer was tough man with soft heart'' so that my colleagues can learn 
more about the special man that Beverly and I came to know.
  Mike was a caring, compassionate and courageous man who fought 
valiantly until his final breath. He had life's priorities in order--

[[Page E561]]

faith, family and the force on which he served. The people of Largo and 
the Largo Police Department lost a hero last week, but his memory, his 
strength and his core values will long live on in his children, his 
family, his friends and fellow officers. There can be no finer lasting 
tribute for a man who died long before his time.

             [From the St. Petersburg Times, Feb. 26, 2009]

              Largo Officer was Tough Man With Soft Heart

                          (By Stephanie Hayes)

       Largo--Michael Renault was bagging groceries at a Winn-
     Dixie when his calling clicked.
       A thief came into the store and robbed the cash register. 
     Michael, always mischievous, always sneaking out of his 
     window at night, sought adventure and feared nothing.
       He also knew right from wrong. At 16, he took off chasing 
     the bad guy.
       He had cowboy instincts, raised on a diet of outer space 
     westerns like Star Wars and Star Trek. He collected John 
     Wayne movies and memorabilia.
       He loved to fish and play laser tag in the middle of the 
     night with his younger brother, Jason. He was unfailingly 
     loyal, a good man to have on your team.
       ``He was someone I always looked up to,'' said Jason 
     Renault, 33. ``He was about as much of a big brother as you 
     can ask for. I kind of idolized him in way.''
       After college, he joined the Largo Police Department, 
     climbing to become a lieutenant. He was tough to crack, a man 
     of deep voice and few words, said his wife, Jennifer Renault, 
     a fellow Largo police officer. Some people were intimidated.
       When they first met, ``He paid no attention to me,'' she 
     said. ``That was our big joke. But then he really helped me 
     out, showing me what to do. He was just very genuine and 
     always made me feel special.''
       Lt. Renault received a medal of valor for climbing a fire 
     ladder to get a suicidal man off the roof of a building, she 
     said. Other times, he endured dog bites while trying to catch 
     criminals.
       He was an ace at poker, golfing, hunting, playing softball 
     and fantasy football.
       He hated to lose.
       ``Oh, yeah, he was a sore loser,'' said his wife. ``Mike 
     Renault was a sore loser. Everyone will tell you that.''
       Underneath, there was a soft man who wanted a huge family. 
     He played and caught bugs with his sons, Hunter and Luke. He 
     took them to ball games but curtailed his competitive side so 
     they'd know it was fine to lose.
       He yearned for a little girl. ``He wanted the princess,'' 
     his wife said. ``He wanted to be the dad to walk her down the 
     aisle.''
       Eleven months ago, Hannah Renault was born. Lt. Renault sat 
     and listened to a country song called I Loved Her First. He 
     teared picturing his daughter in a white dress. But three 
     months later, he got staggering news--he had stomach cancer. 
     His family and friends rallied. His fellow officers raised 
     money and shaved their heads in solidarity.
       As he ailed, he prayed and wrote in journals. He wanted his 
     children to graduate, to get married, to travel. He wished 
     they'd have fearless adventures and find their callings.
       Lt. Renault died Tuesday. He was 37.
       Biography
       Michael Renault
       Born: Oct. 1, 1971.
       Died: Feb. 24, 2009.
       Survivors: wife, Jennifer, children, Hunter, Luke and 
     Hannah; parents, James and Judy Renault; siblings, Jason 
     Renault, Kristen Pitchford; grandmother, Betty Lynch; seven 
     nieces and nephews.
       Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul United Methodist 
     Church, 1199 Highland Ave., Largo.

     

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