[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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