[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 18, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, this week we are honoring the service and 
sacrifice of Americans who serve us as police.
  May 15 to May 21 is National Police Week, and Americans all across 
this country will be recognizing those who serve and have served in 
police departments in communities from coast to coast. Law enforcement 
personnel and their families will also be coming together to hold 
memorials for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their 
lives in the line of duty.
  National Police Week holds special significance to me because for the 
6 years I served as county executive in New Castle County, DE, I was 
responsible for a police force that worked hard day and night to keep 
our community safe. Every year in May, I would gather with our law 
enforcement officers, with the Fraternal Order of Police, which so ably 
represented them, with the families of those who had served, and with 
the families of the one member of our law enforcement community, the 
New Castle County Police, who had been killed in the line of duty.
  I often had differences with the Fraternal Order of Police in my 6 
years of leadership, but I will tell you, they were great and tireless 
partners in standing up for the working men and woman who kept us safe 
each and every day. They kept us focused on officer safety, and they 
kept us focused on providing for them the equipment and the training 
and the support they so richly deserve.
  I will tell you that each and every week that I would have a tough 
week, when we had difficult times dealing with local budgets or coming 
to compromise and making reasonable progress in the county, if I ever 
for a moment felt sorry for myself as I drove home from the county 
government center, all I needed to do was to turn on my police radio in 
my county car and listen to dispatch. There was always something going 
on. As every patrol car went out, as every squad responded to crises, I 
was reminded day-in and day-out of the incredible selfless service of 
the men and women of local law enforcement all over this country, these 
dedicated men and women who sacrifice time away from their families to 
put themselves daily in harm's way. And sadly, too often, it finds 
them.
  Since the beginning of 2009, 122 American police officers have lost 
their lives in service to their local community. Today, I wish to focus 
on one--Patrolman Chad Spicer of Georgetown, DE. A Georgetown native, 
Chad attended the Sussex Central High School and graduated from Del 
Tech in 1999. Following 4 years with our State department of 
corrections, he began service with the police department in 
Bridgeville, later in the town of Laurel. In 2008, Chad joined the 
force in his hometown, fulfilling his greatest childhood dream.
  On September 1, 2009, Chad and his partner, Corporal Shawn 
Brittingham, were in pursuit of a vehicle containing suspects in a 
robbery. The car abruptly stopped. Before the two officers had a chance 
to get out, a suspect fired a single gunshot at close range, killing 
Chad and, in a ricochet, seriously wounded his partner. The suspects 
were eventually apprehended and have been brought to trial.
  Patrolman Chad Spicer was only 29 years old when he was murdered 
doing his job. He is survived by his fiancee, his beautiful young 
daughter Aubrey, his parents Ruth Ann and Norman, a brother, two 
sisters, and a family of fellow officers in Georgetown and across our 
State of Delaware.
  His funeral service was one of the most moving experiences I have had 
in my adult life. Thousands of law enforcement professionals, men and 
women, and family members from literally all across our country 
gathered to pay tribute to this brave, likeable, dedicated young man 
who gave his life in the protection of our community.
  Earlier this month, the people of Georgetown, DE, erected a memorial 
to Chad and his courage and the sacrifice he made for all of us. 
Georgetown Chief of Police Topping noted that: Everyone in town knew 
and liked Chad, even those from the roughest part of town, even those 
who were on the receiving end of his service to our community. Chad 
died protecting the community where he was born and raised, and losing 
him to senseless violence like that had a devastating impact on the 
people of Georgetown and on our whole State.
  Chad was the first Delaware police officer to die from wounds 
received in the line of duty since 1993. His loss is a constant 
reminder that law enforcement officers all over our country live with 
the daily reality that each time they go out on patrol, every time they 
report for duty, their lives may be put on the line as they serve their 
communities and our country.
  This is why I think it is so important that the Federal Government 
continue to strengthen local police department capacities through 
things such as the Federal vest grant program that helps local law 
enforcement purchase bulletproof vests and other critical police 
supplies. It is so important to me that when law enforcement--Federal, 
State, and local--work together, we can succeed in keeping Americans 
safe. There is always more we can do. This is why the Judiciary 
Committee will be holding a field hearing later next month in 
Wilmington, DE, to explore ways we can better improve the collaboration 
and cooperation between Federal and local law enforcement.
  While we honor our men and women of law enforcement every day and 
every year, during National Police Week, we celebrate their service and 
sacrifice and thank them for being forever on watch.
  In memory of Patrolman Chad Spicer and all of the other law 
enforcement professionals who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I today 
stand in memory of their service.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that speakers on 
the Republican side be allocated up to 10 minutes each.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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