[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H6156-H6157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF OFFICER BRADLEY FOX
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor the life
and memory of Pennsylvania Police Officer Bradley Fox.
Brad Fox was a 5-year veteran of the Plymouth Township Police
Department in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Having grown up in my home of Bucks County, Officer Fox graduated
from William Tennent High School and went on to serve his country for
10 years in the United States Marine Corps.
A well-decorated soldier, Officer Fox received, among other
accolades, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat
Action Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Upon returning from his military service, Officer Fox joined his
local police force in Montgomery County, where he built a life for
himself, his wife, Lynsay, their daughter, and a second child who is on
the way.
On the night of Thursday, September 13, the family, friends, and
fellow officers of Brad Fox received the phone call they hoped would
never come. Officer Fox was responding to a report of a hit-and-run in
his suburban Philadelphia township. As he was investigating the
incident, both Officer Fox and his canine companion were ambushed by
the suspect and attacked, which left Officer Fox fatally wounded.
Yesterday afternoon, I attended the burial services for Officer Fox
at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County. The show
of support from the local law enforcement community and the people of
southeastern Pennsylvania as a whole was inspiring and it was
heartfelt.
To see that in such a short lifetime this father, husband, brother,
son, veteran, and police officer had touched so many lives was a
testament to the kind of person that Brad Fox was. He dedicated his
entire life to service to his community and to his country and should
serve as an example to every one of us.
Every day in Montgomery County and in Bucks County and in communities
across this great Nation, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and
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paramedics are working to preserve the public safety. These men and
women wake up every morning and head to work not knowing what dangers
they may encounter during their shift. The loss of Officer Brad Fox
serves as a somber reminder of the risks our police officers face each
and every day.
Here in our Nation's capital, just a few miles from where I stand at
this very moment, is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Etched into this memorial are the names of countless men and women who
gave their lives in service to their communities. Sadly, Officer Brad
Fox will join that roll of honor.
Also carved on the memorial are quotes which capture the spirit of
those honored there, including one from former President George H.W.
Bush, which reads:
Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a
continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and
to protect a national treasure that we call the American
Dream.
There can be no doubt that Officer Bradley Fox did his part in his
quest to preserve the American Dream. Our country owes a debt of
gratitude to Officer Fox and to his family for the sacrifice he made
and they made to keep his community a safe place to work and to live
and to raise a family.
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