[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            IN RECOGNITION OF CHIEF EDWARD ``EDDIE'' JAGGERS

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true hero from 
my district, Chief Duncan Edward ``Eddie'' Jaggers of Coats, North 
Carolina. Chief Jaggers has shown outstanding courage, selflessness and 
bravery by risking his life to protect the citizens of Coats and get 
lawbreakers off the street.
  Although Chief Jaggers is a hero every day, one particular incident 
stands out. On November 17, 2009, Chief Jaggers went to work at a 
routine license checkpoint on North Carolina Highway 27 in Coats that 
turned out to be anything but routine. While checking the licenses of 
other drivers, a vehicle sped past the officers and through the 
checkpoint, leading Chief Jaggers on a high-speed car chase at speeds 
of up to 120 miles per hour. The suspect eventually stopped, grabbed an 
unknown object from his vehicle, and headed deep into the woods, 
leading Chief Jaggers on a foot race to detain the suspect. Chief 
Jaggers did not hesitate to follow the suspect, but a tussle ensued and 
Chief Jaggers was knocked unconscious. Lieutenant Kelly Fields found 
Chief Jaggers in the woods more than twenty minutes later, and he was 
immediately rushed to the hospital. The suspect was later apprehended 
by the Harnett County Sherriff's Office, none which would have been 
possible without the tireless pursuit and valiant actions of Chief 
Eddie Jaggers.
  I had the honor of presenting Chief Jaggers with the Law Enforcement 
Purple Heart award earlier this month for his actions on that fateful 
day. A combination of Chief Jagger's exceptional courage and lifelong 
experience in law enforcement made it possible for him to react with 
lightning speed to protect the citizens of the Coats community.
  Chief Jaggers has been employed with North Carolina law enforcement 
for more than 20 years, including tenures at the North Carolina DMV, 
North Carolina Secretary of State, and currently as the Police Chief of 
the Town of Coats. He serves as an example for his fellow law 
enforcement officers and shows us all the meaning of true courage and 
bravery. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing the heroism of Chief Edward ``Eddie'' Jaggers. We in North 
Carolina are proud to call him our hometown hero.

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