[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 49 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3605-S3606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

                   REMEMBERING FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it is with deep sadness that I 
discuss one of the deadliest attacks against California law enforcement 
in my State's history--an attack that took the lives of four Oakland, 
CA, police officers, and has left our community reeling from the shock 
of this terrible and senseless loss.
  Every day, our law enforcement officers selflessly and bravely put 
their lives on the line to protect our families and our communities. If 
anyone, anywhere, needed a reminder of that, this tragedy puts a 
spotlight on the risk our police officers face every day.
  On Saturday, March 21, what should have been a routine midday traffic 
stop for Oakland PD officers Mark Dunakin and John Hege quickly turned 
into a murder scene.
  After fatally wounding both officers, the suspect fled the scene, 
leading to a frantic manhunt that involved more than 200 officers from 
Oakland PD, Alameda County Sheriff's Office, BART Police and the 
California Highway Patrol. The suspect was quickly tracked down to an 
apartment. But when the SWAT team entered the apartment, he fired a 
series of shots from inside of a closet, fatally wounding officers 
Daniel

[[Page S3606]]

Sakai and Ervin Romans, and injuring a third, before he was shot and 
killed.
  In the days and weeks ahead, we will have important debates about the 
problems with our justice system that allowed a violent offender to be 
on the streets in clear violation of his parole. And we will debate the 
issue of powerful weapons in the hands of dangerous criminals.
  As these debates move forward, I will work to give our law 
enforcement officers more support and more resources to adequately 
protect our communities and protect themselves.
  Now I want to pay tribute to these four fallen officers.
  Sergeant Mark Dunakin, age 40, was an 18-year veteran of Oakland PD. 
He was no stranger to violent crime, having worked homicide cases in 
the criminal investigation division. But he later transferred to the 
motorcycle traffic division where his days focused on patrolling our 
streets on his beloved Harley Davidson, cracking down on drunk drivers 
and trying to always enforce our State's seatbelt laws. Sergeant 
Dunakin is survived by his wife Angela Schwab and their three children.
  Officer John Hege, age 41, had been with the Oakland PD for 10 years 
and had only recently started his dream assignment of becoming part of 
the motorcycle traffic division. Respected by his colleagues and well 
liked by his neighbors, Officer Hege was often known to lend a helping 
hand, and even found time to umpire high school baseball in his free 
time. After being gunned down this weekend, Officer Hege was declared 
brain dead. And true to the heroism he exhibited in his life, his 
organs are being donated to help save other lives. Officer Hege is 
survived by his father and his beloved dog.
  Sergeant Ervin Romans, age 43, had been with the Oakland PD since 
1996. As a member of the elite SWAT team, Romans was in charge of 
entering the most dangerous situations to confront and arrest 
barricaded suspects. Known as just ``Erv'' to his friends and 
colleagues, he was among a group of officers awarded the department's 
prestigious Medal of Valor in 1999 for helping to evacuate residents 
during a fire. His captain, Ed Tracey said he ``had an exterior image 
of being the tough, rugged guy, but everyone knows he has a soft 
heart.'' Sergeant Romans is survived by his three children.
  Sergeant Daniel Sakai, age 35, had recently been named a leader of 
the entry SWAT team, and was known to all as a rising star. Before 
joining the SWAT team, Sergeant Sakai worked in the K-9 division, 
responding to calls with his dog, Doc. He studied forestry at UC 
Berkeley, where he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He 
also worked as a community service officer at Berkeley, escorting 
students around campus at night. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, a 
UC Berkeley police officer, and their daughter.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and 
colleagues of these fallen officers in this tragic time.
  We must come together to support those suffering, and in the coming 
days we must come together, firmly resolved to end the violence that 
has for too long eaten away at the fabric of our communities.

                          ____________________