[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E190-E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF ATF SPECIAL AGENT JOHN CAPANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2012

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and 
acknowledge a true American hero, ATF Special Agent John Capano, who 
was killed this past New Year's Eve attempting to stop an armed robbery 
at a pharmacy in Seaford, New York, the community where he was raised 
and lived for many years.
  I had the privilege of knowing John, his parents, and his brother and 
sisters for more than 40 years. My wife Rosemary was John's 4th grade 
teacher.
  John Capano died as he lived--putting his life on the line to protect 
others. He was a 23-year veteran of the ATF, with an extremely 
distinguished record not only at home but overseas as well. An 
explosives expert, John volunteered to serve on ATF missions in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, Colombia and Peru. Several years ago I had the honor of 
presenting John with an award for his overseas deployments.
  On the fateful day of December 31, 2011 John Capano was off duty. He 
went to Charlie's Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Seaford to pick up cancer 
medication for his 82-year-old father, Jimmy, a retired NYPD Detective. 
While John was in the pharmacy, a recently released ex-convict and drug 
addict displayed what he said was a gun, and demanded prescription 
drugs. As the robber attempted to exit, John identified himself as a 
law enforcement officer. The robber was shot in the leg and a struggle 
ensued on the sidewalk outside the front door. Other off-duty law 
enforcement officials arrived during the struggle; shots were fired; 
and John Capano and the robber were both killed.
  John Capano's death caused great sorrow and sadness in the Seaford 
Community; in the neighboring community of Massapequa where John lived 
with his wife Dori and their two children, John and Natalie; and 
throughout the entire law enforcement community in the New York-Long 
Island region. Thousands of mourners attended John's funeral on January 
6th and our community is still overcome with grief.
  This has been a particularly anguishing time for the Capano family. 
John's mother Helen had died just 15 days before his death. Like John, 
though, the Capano family is strong and unflinching. To ensure that 
John did not die in vain, they are dedicated to doing whatever they can 
to eliminate the epidemic of prescription drug abuse on Long Island.
  In closing, let me extend my sincere condolences to the family of 
John Capano. May he always be in our thoughts and prayers and may he 
rest in peace.

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