[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ALEX DEL RIO

 Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, every day, law enforcement 
officers across the Nation make tremendous sacrifices to fight crime 
and keep our communities safe. On November 22, 2008, one of those 
officers tragically lost his life while serving in the line of duty. 
The officer was 31-year-old Alex Del Rio, a Florida native, a loving 
son, and an outstanding member of the Hollywood, FL, police department.
  Although Alex's life ended just 2 months short of his 32nd birthday, 
he lived his life to the fullest. He was born in Miami and attended 
Winston Park Elementary in Miami and McMillian Middle School in 
Kendall. At the MAST Academy High School in Miami, Alex was a 
tremendous student, a member of the JROTC Color Guard, and known by his 
friends as someone who always did the right thing.
  After joining the Hollywood Police Department in 1996, Alex began his 
career as a part-time community service aide and earned a full-time 
position on the force in 1999. He held positions in patrol, special 
operations motors and special operations for DUI traffic homicide. He 
was named Hollywood Police Department's ``Officer of the Month'' in 
October of 2003 and a finalist for the 2003 ``Officer of the Year.'' 
His colleagues knew him for his sense of humor, his likability, and his 
love for the job.
  Alex's mother Miriam Fernandez has turned her personal tragedy into 
opportunities for others by establishing the Alex Del Rio Foundation. 
The foundation aims to enrich the lives of children in south Florida by 
providing scholarships and promoting the ideals Alex embodied.
  His commitment to serving others has touched not only those in 
Hollywood but also those who work in law enforcement in other States. 
Officer James E. Manley from the town of Lloyd, NY, was so inspired by 
Alex's story that he has decided to ride more than 300 miles to be here 
in Washington in Alex's honor. Officer Manley will join Alex's family 
and others this week in a candlelight vigil and memorial service for 
fallen officers at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. I join them 
in honoring Alex and the many other men and women of our nation's law 
enforcement agencies who have given their lives protecting and serving 
our communities.

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