[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN HAYWOOD 
                         COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Haywood County 
Sheriff's Office for their outstanding commitment to serving our 
community. With a population of more than 50,000 and over 550 square 
miles in the county, the 100 dedicated individuals in the Haywood 
County Sheriff's Office must maintain constant vigilance to ensure the 
safety of all those they serve.
  Haywood County's Sheriff, Bobby Suttles, has done a phenomenal job 
since he assumed his post in early 2009. The previous Sheriff, Tom 
Alexander, served his community honorably for over 22 years. Sheriff 
Suttles began working with Sheriff Alexander and the Haywood County 
Sheriff's Office in 1995, joining the team as a deputy. His exemplary 
service led him to become Chief Deputy in 2003, and he was thus the 
natural choice when Sheriff Alexander retired in February of 2009. As a 
community, we look forward to working with Sheriff Suttles as he 
continues the remarkable legacy inherited from Sheriff Alexander.
  The Haywood County Sheriff's Office has an extremely distinguished 
history in the community. They are able to react immediately to new and 
unexpected challenges. One of the most successful projects implemented 
by the Haywood County Sheriff's Office is a special squad of deputies 
called the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team which focuses on woodland 
operations, land navigations and man tracking. These skills are 
invaluable to other facets of the Haywood County Sheriff's Office, for 
example the Team has assisted the county's Drug Enforcement Unit with 
the service of high risk warrants and drug surveillance. The deputies 
on the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team undergo an additional sixteen 
hours of training per month and must maintain higher than average 
fitness standards. As this is a voluntary program, the deputies 
involved purchase much of the specialized equipment out of their own 
pockets, demonstrating their exemplary dedication and commitment.
  In addition to their role as law enforcement professionals, the 
Haywood County Sheriff's Office also takes part in the Explorer Post 
program. This program affords young adults between 14 and 21 years of 
age access to community service projects that enable them to learn 
about the law enforcement profession. Participants have the opportunity 
to do ``ride alongs'' observing the work of deputies, participate in 
community fingerprinting, and take part in other events geared towards 
crime fighting and community involvement. Through this program they are 
also taught essential teambuilding and leadership skills.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in support of the 
Haywood County Sheriff's Office and our dedicated law enforcement 
professionals across the country. Without these committed individuals, 
none of us would be able to enjoy the quality of life or the security 
we experience in our great Nation.

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