[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 42 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ZACHARIAH JOHN McDOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize 
Urbandale police officer Zachariah McDowell for his lifesaving efforts 
in the line of duty.
   On Sunday evening, March 10th, 2013, Officer McDowell was on a 
routine patrol of Urbandale, Iowa when he responded to a report of a 
burning car in the parking lot of a nearby church. As Zac approached 
the car to investigate, he could make out only a human hand amid the 
consuming smoke that filled the vehicle. Officer McDowell wasted no 
time smashing in the passenger side window with his metal baton, 
entering the burning vehicle, and dragging the young accident victim to 
safety. There is no doubt that Officer McDowell's quick thinking and 
heroic actions saved a young man's life that snowy night.
   Officer McDowell's entire professional life has been one of service 
and sacrifice. He began his law enforcement career by serving in the 
Iowa Army National Guard where he was recognized as the Iowa Soldier of 
the Year in 2006. Officer McDowell was honorably discharged from the 
military as a Staff Sergeant in 2011, after 12 years of service and two 
separate deployments to Kosovo in 2003 and Iraq in 2007. Today, Zac is 
a model member of the Urbandale Police Department and resides in 
Urbandale with his wife of seven years, Nichole, and their two 
children, Wesley and Maggie.
   Mr. Speaker, Officer McDowell's instinct and brave actions to save a 
fellow Iowan embody the selfless attributes we all should strive for. 
His extraordinary display of heroism should give us all pause as we 
offer gratitude to the police officers across the country who put their 
own welfare at risk to make our streets and neighborhoods safer. It is 
a great honor to represent Officer McDowell and the City of Urbandale 
in the United States Congress, and I invite my colleagues in the House 
to join me in congratulating and thanking Officer McDowell for his 
outstanding performance and courage when it truly mattered most.

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