[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF JOSEPH WAMPLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler. My long 
time friend, Sheriff Wampler is retiring on January 1, 2013, capping a 
career in law enforcement that dates back to 1973 when he began working 
for Hood River County at the age of 19 as a seasonal Marine Deputy. 
Sheriff Wampler has dedicated nearly four decades to duty, honor and 
service to the citizens and visitors of Hood River County, Oregon.
  Joe began his full-time career in law enforcement in my home town of 
Hood River as a patrolman with Hood River Police Department, steadily 
rising through the ranks to that of captain. He was elected sheriff and 
took office in 1993. At that time, the entire patrol division had four 
vehicles to share, prompting Sheriff Wampler to institute a vehicle 
replacement program that endures today. Every deputy on his watch now 
has their own dedicated vehicle, improving response time and reducing 
vehicle maintenance.
  During Sheriff Wampler's five terms in office, the agency acquired 
much needed, specialized equipment to assist with rural law enforcement 
and search and rescue needs. Today, the office has three airplanes, a 
snow cat, snow machines, ATV's, a mobile command vehicle and a mobile 
command trailer just to name a few.
  This equipment has aided the sheriff's office in numerous search and 
rescue operations, including a December 2006 mission that gained 
national attention. Sheriff Wampler led the search effort for three 
missing climbers on Mt. Hood, personally piloting the department's 
Piper Cub airplane to look into one final tip before making the 
difficult decision, after two weeks of searching, to focus on recovery 
of the climber's remains. His personal passion for the residents and 
visitors of Hood River County is an inspiration.
  Additionally, Sheriff Wampler was one of the founding members of 
Northern Oregon Regional Corrections (NORCOR), the regional jail 
facility in The Dalles. NORCOR, which opened in 1999, replaced Hood 
River and Wasco Counties' aging jail facilities and gave Sherman and 
Gilliam Counties a dedicated jail. NORCOR gave Hood River County over 
40% more jail space with minimal financial impact.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in recognizing 
Sheriff Joe Wampler. He has earned the thanks of a grateful nation not 
only for his dedication to service, but also for his unwavering 
commitment to his community. Please join me in wishing him a very long 
and happy retirement.

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