[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E806-E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BOONE COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF JESSE RICE BROWNING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, during this season of renewal, it is fitting 
that we recognize those who, through their service to the public good, 
paid the ultimate sacrifice. Today, every 53 hours a law enforcement 
officer falls in the line of duty in this country.
  These men and women got up in the mornings, dressed for work, kissed 
their family goodbye, and went out the door just as we do each morning, 
but with one tremendous difference. As law enforcement officers, they 
knew the challenges of a most typical day for them, would amount to 
unimaginable odds for any of us to face on our best day.
  What they viewed as just doing their job, the rest of us know goes to 
the heart of human courage and commitment. They died so the rest of us 
could live. Their sacrifice allowed us to grow, prosper and, for their 
families, as scripture tells us, ``to go forth and multiply.''
  In this, our Nation's Capital, each year for the past several years 
on May 15th, a few blocks west of our Capitol Building, our country 
pauses to reflect on the noble and selfless acts of these officers who 
represented the law of our great republic. Here, at the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week in a solemn 
and moving memorial candlelit vigil ceremony, Americans gather around 
our Nation's living tribute to fallen officers throughout the land.
  Though it is a monument hewn of solid blue gray stone marble to 
withstand the ages--it is, Mr. Speaker, as alive as you or I. For on 
its face are forever carved the names of fathers, mothers, sons and 
daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grand paws and grand 
maws, cousins galore and friends to countless numbers of us. As long as 
we live, Mr. Speaker, they, nor their memories, will ever die.
  This year, two names have been added to the face of the monument's 
more than 19,000 names of law enforcement officers who have been killed 
in the line of duty. These two sons of the State of West Virginia, two 
loyal public servants from the heart of the coalfields of Appalachia, 
and two officers of the law from Boone County, West Virginia, who were 
simply doing their jobs when the face and forces of evil struck to rob 
them and their families of any future.
  All West Virginians owe them a deep debt of gratitude and we are 
indebted, as well, to

[[Page E807]]

the Sheriff of Boone County, The Honorable Rodney A. Miller, whose 
invaluable assistance helped speed their acknowledgement and inclusion 
into this fraternity of honor and remembrance.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the Coal Valley News, the National Law 
Enforcement Officers Memorial, and the families for sharing the 
memories of the fallen with me which I humbly pass on for this Nation's 
greater edification.
  Killed in the line of duty were Deputy Sheriff Jesse Rice Browning 
and Constable Cecil Alvin Ferrell.
  Constable Ferrell was shot as he attempted to serve an arrest 
warrant. When Constable Ferrell allowed the suspect to get dressed, the 
suspect grabbed a shotgun and fired. Constable Ferrell sustained a 
gunshot wound to the abdomen and died at the scene on October 17, 1937. 
He was 36 years old.
  On April 9, 1917, Deputy Sheriff Jesse Browning was shot by an inmate 
who had attacked him and gained control of his gun before fatally 
wounding him. Jesse Browning was taken to Charleston, Kanawha Valley 
Hospital, via train where he clung onto life for several days until he 
passed from the Earth on April 15, 1917. Deputy Sherriff Browning was 
39 years old. He had served Boone County for 15 years.
  His body lies in a grave on a remote hillside in Barrett, W.Va. At 
the time of his death, he left behind a wife, Orpha Pauley Browning, 
and seven children: Glenn Browning, Marie White, Gladys Jarrell, Dennis 
Browning, Clyde Browning, Dassie (Scootie) Williams and Georgia 
Workman. He was predeceased by a son, Alvin Browning. At the time of 
his death, his youngest child was only three months old.
  All of his children remained life-long residents of West Virginia. 
His descendants include 36 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. 
Several of these have been behind the effort to have their grandfather 
recognized for his service and sacrifice to Boone County, West 
Virginia.
  Chaplain Grant Wolf offered these thoughts of comfort and hope, ``It 
was only a moment, but in that moment of madness our lives and the 
world changed. Hearts were broken and names previously unknown are now 
spoken with reverence. The moment passes, but in that moment we mourn 
for the life that was taken and grieve for the survivors, remembering 
the sacrifice made to protect and serve. It was only a moment but he is 
gone, a sacrifice made to give us a future. We pause in our sorrow 
reflecting what might have been--but then we press on for, by the grace 
of God, his memory still stands.''
  I am deeply honored to represent the good people of southern West 
Virginia in the Congress. Life does go on for these two loving 
families, yet preserving the lives of their fallen relatives preserves 
not only cherished family memories, it fosters a legacy critical to the 
very foundation our country's future.
  For if, Mr. Speaker, we are to remain a nation ruled by law and not 
by men, it is incumbent upon each of us to search our souls and find 
the strength and solace these brave officers achieved to protect and to 
serve us. May God bless such men and women as these and may such 
dedication reign forever in the home of the brave and land of the free.