[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3753-S3755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESSIONAL BADGES OF BRAVERY
Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor six outstanding
members of the U.S. Marshals Service--Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal
Patrick James and Deputy U.S. Marshals Theodore Abegg, Travis Franke,
Nicholas Garrett, Jeremy Wyatt, and John Perry--who played an
instrumental role in the March 8, 2011, apprehension of a fugitive in
St. Louis, MO, an incident that claimed the life of Deputy U.S. Marshal
John Perry and resulted in the wounding of Deputy U.S. Marshal Theodore
Abegg, as well as St. Louis Police Officer Jeff Helbling.
I commend the heroic service and incredible sacrifice of all these
marshals, four of whom are from my home State of Missouri: Supervisory
Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick James and Deputy U.S. Marshals Theodore
Abegg, Travis Franke, and Nicholas Garrett. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeremy
Wyatt and fallen Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry hail from Illinois.
Last week, my colleague Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois joined me at an
awards ceremony in St. Louis to honor these distinguished U.S.
marshals.
Before I talk about the bravery these law enforcement officials
demonstrated in the line of duty, I need to mention the tremendous
service the U.S. Marshals Service provides to the people of this
country every day. As the Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement
agency, the U.S. Marshals Service plays several crucial roles,
including protecting Federal judges, operating the Witness Security
Program, seizing illegally obtained assets from criminals, and
apprehending Federal fugitives--a function which led to its cooperation
with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the formation of
the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in St. Louis. Since the
Marshals Service's inception in 1789, over 200 federal marshals, deputy
marshals, special deputy marshals, and marshals guards have lost their
lives in the line of duty. When the U.S. Marshals Service's steadfast
devotion to crime prevention and mitigation is considered alongside its
traditional witness protection and judicial security duties, the law
enforcement officials of this agency truly exemplify the values of
``Justice, Integrity, Service.''
From my days as a prosecutor, I know how critically important the
U.S.
[[Page S3754]]
Marshals Service is to the Federal justice system and the impact these
officials have in communities across Missouri. These highly trained men
and women help form the backbone of our legal system, and I salute the
countless acts of bravery performed by Federal law enforcement officers
across Missouri and this Nation.
On March 8, 2011, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task
Force, which included St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
officers, engaged in an effort to apprehend a dangerous fugitive in St.
Louis. In approaching the fugitive's residence, the officers and
deputies, discovering there were two children at the home, safely
removed them and entered the home behind a ballistic shield. Team
Leader Deputy John Perry provided cover for Deputy Garrett, who used
the shield to approach the second floor location of the fugitive. While
ascending a stairwell, the officers and deputies were fired upon by the
fugitive. Both Deputy John Perry and St. Louis Police Officer Jeff
Helbling were wounded in the initial exchange of gunfire. While other
task force members engaged the fugitive, Supervisory Deputy James
prompted Officer Anna Kimble to alert supporting officers of the
shooting over the radio system.
With two task force members injured, Deputies Abegg and Franke
entered the home, and Supervisory Deputy James authorized Deputy Abegg
to launch a rescue operation to secure Deputy Perry. Using ballistic
shields, Deputies Abegg and Garrett, followed closely by Deputies
Franke, Wyatt, and Supervisory Deputy James, entered the residence in
order to retrieve the wounded marshal. In the course of the rescue
attempt, Deputy Abegg was wounded in the leg. Deputy U.S. Marshal
Melissa Duffy administered first aid to Officer Helbling, and Deputy
U.S. Marshal Shawn Jackson provided protective cover, allowing wounded
Deputy U.S. Marshal Abegg to withdraw. In the end, task force team
members subdued the fugitive, although, tragically, Deputy Perry's
wounds later proved fatal.
The sincere dedication of these marshals to duty and their strong
sense of justice are an inspiration to the American people. Marshals
like these place themselves in harm's way every day, forsaking the
safety many of us take for granted. They and their families make
precious sacrifices so that we, the American public, may enjoy the
freedom to live our lives to an extent made possible by the knowledge
that someone stands watchful and ready on our behalf.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Supervisory
Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick James and Deputy U.S. Marshals Theodore
Abegg, Travis Franke, Nicholas Garrett, Jeremy Wyatt, and John Perry
for their distinguished service to the people of this country.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, last week was National Police Week, and
last Wednesday was National Peace Officers Memorial Day. On Monday, May
13, 2013, I joined my colleague, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri,
at a ceremony in St. Louis to honor six brave deputy U.S. marshals who
were awarded the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of
Bravery.
Fewer than two dozen of these badges have been awarded since Congress
created them 2 years ago. In fact, these six deputy marshals honored in
St. Louis are the first law enforcement officers from either Missouri
or Illinois to receive the Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Two of the six men are from my State of Illinois. Deputy U.S. Marshal
John Brookman Perry lived in Edwardsville; Jeremy Wyatt is from Granite
City.
On March 8, 2011, they and four other deputy U.S. marshals, Theodore
Abegg, Travis Franke, Nicholas Garrett, Supervisory Deputy Marshal
Patrick James, joined members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police
Department to arrest a dangerous fugitive in south St. Louis. The
officers knew there could be trouble that day when they went to serve
the arrest warrant. The man they were looking for had a long criminal
history and a record that included assaults on law enforcement
officers. But they went anyway because that is their job: bringing in
the bad guys so that others can feel safer walking down the street.
Deputy Perry was team leader for the Federal marshals. Tragically,
though, he never made it home. He was killed and Deputy Marshal Abegg
was wounded in a shootout with the man they went to arrest. His story
deserves to be told, so that everyone can know the sort of man and law
enforcement officer he was.
John Perry grew up in Glen Ellyn in northern Illinois. He had public
service in his blood. His grandfather was the son of an Alabama coal
miner who went on to be a Federal district judge in northern Illinois.
His father was an administrative law judge. He earned a bachelor's
degree in earth science and a master's degree in environmental science
from SIU. But he wanted to work in law enforcement. He spent 16 years
as a probation officer in Madison County, IL before joining the U.S.
Marshals Service in 2001. The Federal marshals who worked with him said
there was no one better when it came to tracking dangerous felons and
bringing them in.
John was a great marshal, but apparently he had a little trouble with
the ``good cop/bad cop'' style of interrogation. At his memorial
service, one speaker recalled how, after what was supposed to have been
a hard-core interrogation, the suspect emerged and told John's partner:
``Your partner is the nicest guy in the world.'' Just imagine what the
world would be like if the worst thing people could say about us was,
``Sometimes he's too nice.''
One of his last gifts to his community was that he was an organ
donor. After he died, his heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidneys
were donated to people who would have died without them, along with
skin and bone tissue to help as many as 100 more people. His spirit--
and his commitment to duty--lives on in those people. It lives on in
his friends and family, especially his three children. It lives on in
the countless law enforcement officers whose back he watched and with
whom he shared his professional knowledge and bad jokes. And it
continues to be exemplified every day by his fellow deputy marshals who
successfully apprehended their suspect on that fateful March day.
John Perry didn't lose his life. He laid down his life to keep his
fellow officers and our communities safe.
I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring Deputy U.S. Marshals
John Perry, Jeremy Wyatt, Theodore Abegg, Travis Franke, Nicholas
Garrett, and Supervisory Deputy U.S Marshal Patrick James. They and all
the law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect ours
deserve our respect and gratitude this week and every week.
Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I also wish honor three St. Louis
Metropolitan Police Detectives who played an instrumental role in the
March 8, 2011, apprehension of a fugitive in St. Louis, MO, an incident
that claimed the life of Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry and resulted in
the wounding of Deputy U.S. Marshal Theodore, Ted, Abegg, as well as
St. Louis Police Officer Jeff Helbling. Before I talk about the heroic
service and incredible sacrifice of these three officers, I have to
mention the tremendous service the St. Louis Metropolitan Police
Department provides to the people of St. Louis every day. As the
principal law enforcement agency serving the City of St. Louis, the St.
Louis Metropolitan Police Department, in addition to its routine
functions, provides a variety of specialized services, including acting
as a liaison with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Since
its inception in 1836, over 160 St. Louis police officers have lost
their lives in the line of duty. When the St. Louis Metropolitan Police
Department's steadfast dedication to community involvement is
considered alongside its traditional crime prevention and mitigation
duties, the officers of this department truly exemplify the mission
``To Protect and Serve.''
I know how valuable police officers and other first responders are to
communities across Missouri. While I was Jackson County prosecutor, I
witnessed firsthand the essential skills and hands-on training needed
to keep our neighborhoods safe from crime. I know that our first
responders form the backbone of our communities, and I salute the
countless acts of bravery performed by law enforcement officers across
Missouri.
On March 8, 2011, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task
[[Page S3755]]
Force, which included St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
officers, engaged in an effort to apprehend a dangerous fugitive in St.
Louis. In approaching the fugitive's residence, the officers and
deputies, discovering there were two children at the home, safely
removed them and entered the home behind a ballistic shield. Upon
entering the home and ascending a stairwell, the officers and deputies
were fired upon by the fugitive. Both Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry
and St. Louis Police Officer Jeff Helbling were wounded in the initial
exchange of gunfire. Tragically, Deputy Perry's wounds later proved
fatal. While other task force members engaged the fugitive, Officer
Anna Kimble alerted supporting officers of the shooting over the radio
system and Officer Joe Kuster provided perimeter security. A rescue
attempt was mounted by the U.S. Marshals, during which another deputy
U.S. Marshal was wounded. In the course of the rescue attempt, the
fugitive was subdued by task force team members.
I am proud these three officers hail from my home State of Missouri.
Their sincere dedication to duty and endless compassion for the
residents of the city they serve are an inspiration to the people of
St. Louis. First responders like these place themselves in harm's way
every day, forsaking the safety many of us take for granted. They and
their families make precious sacrifices so that we, the American
public, may enjoy the freedom to live our lives to an extent made
possible by the knowledge that someone stands watchful and ready on our
behalf.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring St. Louis
Metropolitan Police Department Detectives Jeff Helbling, Anna Kimble,
and Joe Kuster for their distinguished service to the people of St.
Louis. I thank them, and I thank all of you for joining me in
recognizing these outstanding Missourians.
Finally, Mr. President, I wish to honor two deputy U.S. marshals who
played an instrumental role in the March 8, 2011, apprehension of a
fugitive in St. Louis, MO, an incident that claimed the life of Deputy
U.S. Marshal John Perry and resulted in the wounding of Deputy U.S.
Marshal Theodore ``Ted'' Abegg, as well as St. Louis Police Officer
Jeff Helbling. Before I talk about the heroic service and incredible
sacrifice of these two deputies, I have to mention the tremendous
service the U.S. Marshals Service provides to the people of this
country every day. As the Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement
agency, the U.S. Marshals Service provides a variety of crucial
services, including protecting Federal judges, operating the Witness
Security Program, seizing illegally obtained assets from criminals, and
apprehending Federal fugitives--a function which led to its cooperation
with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the formation of
the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in St. Louis. Since its
inception in 1789, over 200 Federal marshals, deputy marshals, special
deputy marshals, and marshals guards have lost their lives in the line
of duty. When the U.S. Marshals Service's steadfast devotion to crime
prevention and mitigation is considered alongside its traditional
witness protection and judicial security duties, the law enforcement
officials of this agency truly exemplify the values of ``Justice,
Integrity, Service.''
I know how critically important the Marshals Service is to the
Federal justice system and the impact these officials have in
communities across Missouri. These highly trained men and women help
form the backbone of our legal system, and I salute the countless acts
of bravery performed by Federal law enforcement officers across
Missouri and this Nation.
On March 8, 2011, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task
Force, which included St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
officers, engaged in an effort to apprehend a dangerous fugitive in St.
Louis. In approaching the fugitive's residence, the officers and
deputies, discovering there were two children at the home, safely
removed them and entered the home behind a ballistic shield. Upon
entering the home and ascending a stairwell, the officers and deputies
were fired upon by the fugitive. Both Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry
and St. Louis Police Officer Jeff Helbling were wounded in the initial
exchange of gunfire. Tragically, Deputy Perry's wounds later proved
fatal. While other task force members engaged the fugitive, Officer
Anna Kimble alerted supporting officers of the shooting over the radio
system, Deputy U.S. Marshal Melissa Duffy administered first aid to
Officer Helbling, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Shawn Jackson provided
protective cover allowing wounded Deputy U.S. Marshal Abegg to
withdraw. A rescue attempt was mounted by the U.S. marshals, during
which another deputy U.S. marshal was wounded. In the course of the
rescue attempt, the fugitive was subdued by task force team members.
I am proud these two deputies are based in my home State of Missouri.
Their sincere dedication to duty and strong sense of justice are an
inspiration to the American people. Marshals like these place
themselves in harm's way every day, forsaking the safety many of us
take for granted. They and their families make precious sacrifices so
that we, the American public, may enjoy the freedom to live our lives
to an extent made possible by the knowledge that someone stands
watchful and ready on our behalf.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Deputy U.S.
Marshals Melissa Duffy and Shawn Jackson for their distinguished
service to the people of this country. I thank them, and I thank all of
you for joining me in recognizing these outstanding individuals.
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