[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING OFFICER MARK A. TAULBEE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I come to the floor to report to my 
colleagues some sad news. A brave Kentucky law-enforcement officer has 
fallen in the line of duty. Officer Mark A. Taulbee of the Hodgenville, 
KY, police department was killed on Sunday, September 16, when his 
police vehicle crashed during the pursuit of a suspect.
  Officer Taulbee had been with the Hodgenville Police Department for 
13 months. Prior to that, he had been a deputy with the Butler County 
Sheriff's Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth 
and two children, Audra and Austin.
  Officer Taulbee upheld a great tradition of service and sacrifice 
that is observed by the many men and women in local, State, and 
national law enforcement across America. Our country owes them a debt 
of gratitude for putting their lives on the line to protect us and our 
communities.
  Tragically, Officer Taulbee is the first and only Hodgenville police 
officer ever lost in the performance of his duty. Across America, 84 
law enforcement officers have fallen in the line of duty in 2012. That 
includes two from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, out of a total of 
approximately 7,800 sworn law enforcement officers statewide.
  I know my Senate colleagues will join me in sending my deepest 
sympathies to Officer Taulbee's family and his colleagues at the 
Hodgenville Police Department. We have the deepest admiration and 
respect for police officers in every community across America.
  We recognize theirs is both an honorable job and a dangerous one. 
They bravely risk their lives for ours, and America appreciates 
everything they do. We cannot be grateful enough for them and their 
families.
  Mr. President, a recent article appeared on the Web site of 
television news station WAVE-3 of Louisville paying tribute to Officer 
Taulbee and noting the loss felt by his fellow officers. I ask 
unanimous consent that said article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                    [From WAVE3.com, Sept. 18, 2012]

           Hodgenville Police Chief Remembers Fallen Officer

       Hodgenville, KY (WAVE).--Services have been set for a 
     Hodgenville police officer who died in the line of duty.
       Officer Mark Taulbee, 44, had been a long-time law-
     enforcement officer in eastern Kentucky before moving to 
     Hodgenville a little more than a year ago.
       Despite being at the department a short time, the chief 
     said Officer Taulbee had a lasting impact on the police 
     force.
       ``Just like family. It's really hard,'' said Hodgenville 
     Police Chief Steve Johnson. ``We're very tight, and it's been 
     a shock to all of us.''
       The police department of five now prepares to say goodbye 
     to one of its own.
       ``I am thinking this is the only officer we've ever lost in 
     the line of duty,'' Johnson said.
       A makeshift memorial of crosses can be found where the 
     crash happened.
       Taulbee was chasing a suspect around 3:00 Saturday morning.
       In the midst of the case, another call came into 911. ``A 
     lady said a police car had wrecked in front of her house and 
     the officer was laying outside the vehicle,'' Johnson said.
       Taulbee was rushed to a hospital. ``His wife was working at 
     Hardin Memorial Hospital when he arrived. She's an X-ray 
     technician,'' Johnson said.
       It's believed that's the last time she saw him. He was then 
     rushed to University of Louisville Hospital.
       ``My understanding was that he was on his way to surgery or 
     to X-rays and his heart stopped. They did CPR but were unable 
     to bring him back,'' Johnson said.
       Johnson said his phone has been ringing non-stop with calls 
     from across the country, offering support.
       ``Hopkinsville and Elizabethtown are going to send officers 
     over to work the city so all my units can go to his funeral. 
     I guess that's what's hitting us so hard. It's the suddenness 
     of it. It's just hard,'' Johnson said.
       Services for Officer Taulbee will be held at the 
     Hodgenville Civic Center. Visitation is set for Thursday from 
     3 to 8 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon. The funeral will begin 
     at noon on Friday.
       The officer leaves behind a wife, a 20-year-old daughter 
     and a 16-year-old son.

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