[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E980-E981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       OFFICER BENJAMIN L. KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a Congressman from the 
8th District of Washington, a resident of the great Pacific Northwest, 
and a former law enforcement officer, to honor a man who acted 
courageously under perilous circumstances late last year. Seattle 
Police Department Officer Benjamin Kelly answered the call of duty in 
the wake of the heinous and unprecedented ambush of four officers in 
Lakewood, Washington. Because of his efforts, law enforcement officers 
and residents of Washington could breathe a sigh of relief knowing a 
violent gunman was no longer walking the streets.
  The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer 
Kelly its ``Officer of the Month'' in March and Officer Kelly has 
received distinguished praise elsewhere for his brave actions in the 
early morning hours of December 1, 2009. That morning, Kelly 
encountered a parked car with its engine running. He pulled up behind 
the car--which he suspected was stolen--and started the process of 
documenting his discovery and determining the status of the vehicle. At 
the same time, Kelly noticed a man standing nearby who was wearing a 
hooded sweatshirt. Alert, Kelly focused on his task and his 
surroundings. Suddenly, Kelly spotted the man walking toward his patrol 
car from behind. Kelly left his vehicle, ordered the man to stop and 
immediately recognized him as the suspect in the terrible police ambush 
48 hours earlier. Instead of stopping, the suspect darted away from the 
officer while reaching for a weapon. Kelly shot the suspect and killed 
him, ending the most extensive police manhunt in Washington's history 
and taking a ruthless killer off the street.
  Officer Kelly acted bravely, there is no doubt. I know the courage it 
takes to confront a dangerous and cold-blooded suspect. He

[[Page E981]]

didn't hesitate and placed himself in harm's way without thinking 
twice. Even more, what I believe distinguished Kelly's actions that 
morning was his intelligence. He was fully aware, didn't take any 
actions for granted, and his mind never stopped processing the scene. 
This entire House is proud of his distinguished service.
  Madam Speaker, Officer Kelly is back on the job, serving the people 
of Seattle and trying his best to avoid the adulation and spotlight 
that accompanies his outstanding actions. He is a humble servant; he is 
an outstanding officer; he is a hero.

                          ____________________