[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CAPTAIN DREW BESSINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary public safety officer who has spent his entire career 
serving the public. I am speaking of Captain Drew Bessinger, of the 
Clovis Police Department (CPD) in Clovis, California. Captain Bessinger 
will conclude his years of service in law enforcement and retire from 
the Clovis Police Department this year.
  Captain Bessinger was born in the Garden State of New Jersey, where 
he graduated from high school in 1975. Upon his graduation, he enlisted 
in the United States Army. During his tenure in the Army, Captain 
Bessinger was a Military Police Officer; serving in Germany and 
achieving the rank of Sergeant.
  Upon returning from his service overseas, Captain Bessinger worked 
for the Department of Defense Police in Virginia. Santa Barbara Police 
Department hired Captain Bessinger which brought him to California in 
1980 and he served there until 1984. In 1984, he accepted a position 
with the University Police Department of Fresno State, my alma mater. 
He was then hired by the Clovis Police Department in 1987, where he 
remained for twenty two years in a variety of roles helping the 
community of Clovis.
  At Clovis Police Department, Captain Bessinger served in patrol, 
investigations, neighborhood policing, youth services, administration, 
planning and neighborhood services assignments. He continued his years 
of service with undoubtedly flawless service to the community and 
people of Clovis, he climbed the ranks from Corporal in October, 1992, 
and only five years later in 1997 became Sergeant. At the height of his 
career, he became Captain in April 2007.
  During his tenure at Clovis Police Department, Captain Bessinger 
helped design: the shoulder patch policemen wear on their uniforms for 
CPD; the department's Honor Guard Badge; and Challenge coin. He also 
led the Honor Guard Unit, participated in the Peace Officers Memorial 
at Pelco Company, participated in the Annual Peace Officers Memorial in 
Fresno's Courthouse Park, the State Officers Memorial in Sacramento, 
and was an officer at the funeral for fallen Marine Jared Hubbard and 
Army Soldier Nathan Hubbard. The Hubbard's where sons of a retired 
department sergeant. Captain Bessinger volunteered for the Special 
Olympics and also managed to oversee several operations in the CPD 
including Youth Services, Animal Services, Communications, and 
administrative duties ranging from writing/updating Municipal Codes, 
Homeland Security and Grants, Internal Affairs and Audits, Workers 
Comp, and Public Information.
  Aside from serving the public as a Policeman throughout his life, one 
of Captain Bessinger's proudest accomplishments has been raising his 
two sons; Derek who is twenty nine and Chris who is twenty five. 
Singlehandedly, he raised his two boys from the ages of four and 
sixteen months, a responsibility any father would fathom. During this 
time, he managed the duties of a father, police officer, and as a 
student earning his college degree. Captain Bessinger celebrates with 
his wife Yvonne, their ninth anniversary this year. I ask that my 
colleagues please salute Captain Bessinger for his years of service in 
the law enforcement field and to wish him well as he retires from the 
Clovis Police Department.

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