[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 32 (Monday, March 8, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1258-S1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

             REMEMBERING JOEL WAHLENMAIER AND JAVIER BEJAR

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the memory of two respected and dedicated public servants, 
Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and

[[Page S1259]]

Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar. Deputy Wahlenmaier and Officer 
Bejar were tragically killed in the line of duty while helping officers 
with the California Fire Marshal's office serve a warrant on a 
suspected arsonist in Minkler, CA.
  Deputy Wahlenmaier was born in Bakersfield, CA, and raised in Fresno. 
After spending his early career in construction, Deputy Wahlenmaier 
joined the Fresno County Sheriff's Department in 1998. During his 
tenure with the department, he worked as a detective in the homicide 
and property crime bureaus and he was a longtime member of the 
department's search and rescue team.
  Deputy Wahlenmaier is survived by his wife Beverly and children Amy 
and Austin. He had a profound love of the outdoors. He was a skilled 
fisherman and hunter who enjoyed skiing and water sports. Those who 
knew Deputy Wahlenmaier will always remember him as a trusted, caring, 
and kind colleague and friend, and above all else, a devoted family 
man.
  Officer Bejar was born in Mexico and moved to the United States with 
his family at the age of 3. He grew up in Orange Cove in Fresno County. 
While a student at Reedley High School, he became an Explorer Scout in 
the Reedley Police Department Police Explorer Program, which teaches 
young people interested in pursuing a law enforcement career the 
fundamentals of police service. After graduating from high school, he 
joined the U.S. Marine Corps, during which time he served a 14-month 
tour in Iraq and Kuwait and earned the rank of sergeant before he was 
honorably discharged. Officer Bejar joined the Reedley Police 
Department in 2005. He was named the Reedley Police Department Officer 
of the Year in 2007 and he received a life-saving medal in 2009.
  Office Bejar is survived by his wife Miriam, his parents, and seven 
siblings. He will always be remembered as a gentleman with an engaging 
personality who was committed to his job and family.
  Deputy Wahlenmaier and Officer Bejar dutifully served the residents 
of Fresno County with great selflessness, integrity, and valor. Their 
devotion to help others and passion to make a positive impact on the 
community epitomize the best ideals of law enforcement. Their lasting 
contributions to public safety and law enforcement are greatly 
appreciated. They will be sorely missed.
  We shall always be grateful for Deputy Wahlenmaier and Office Bejar's 
heroic service and the sacrifices that they made while serving the 
community and the people they loved.

                          ____________________