[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN THOMAS PHILIP COLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2010

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor and remember a 
loving father and husband, son, brother, respected serviceman and 
dedicated officer, Mr. Thomas Philip Coleman.
  Officer Coleman of Fontana, California, was killed on duty June 11, 
2010, while pursuing a stolen vehicle on motorcycle, in Redlands, 
California. He was 33 years old.
  He leaves behind a wife, Jamie Jean, a 2-year-old son, Ryan, and an 
11-month old daughter, Shaylen. Born on October 6, 1976 in West Covina, 
California to Robert Francis Coleman and Janice Womack, he was the 
third of five children including his brother Joseph Coleman, and 
sisters, Jennifer Coleman Chagas, Kathleen Poole, and Mary Coleman 
Heinen.
  Graduating Damien High School in La Verne, in 1994, he entered the 
United States Marine Corps. While enlisted, Tom served as a Land 
Support Specialist and a Marine Embassy Security Guard in Rome and 
Romania. After five years of meritorious service, he was honorably 
discharged at the rank of sergeant.
  Officer Coleman served with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for 
seven years. He was assigned to the San Bernardino Area of the Inland 
Division in March 2008, where he became a CHP Motorcycle Officer.
  Tom was an exemplary family man and father who enjoyed spending time 
with his kids. He enjoyed fulfilling his aspiration of becoming a 
California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer. His hobbies included 
riding, hiking, and following the NFL.
  His passion, dedication to his job and strong, bear hugs which he 
gave at each greeting will be greatly missed, along with the way he 
quoted movies, making everyone laugh.
  Tom's mischievous sense of humor, smile and twinkling eyes will be 
missed by all who knew him. Let us take the time to pay tribute to Tom 
and celebrate the life and the example he lived.
  Although he is no longer with us, his unforgettable spirit will 
continue to live on through the lives of everyone he touched.
  The thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara, my family and I are with 
his family at this time.
  Madam Speaker, let us pay our respects to Officer Thomas Philip 
Coleman. He will always have a place in our memories and hearts as we 
remember the selfless genuine devotion he gave to his family, country, 
the California Highway Patrol, and community.

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