[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E745-E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING OFFICERS OF THE ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE U.S. 
   MARSHAL'S SERVICE FOR RECEIVING THE CONGRESSIONAL BADGE OF BRAVERY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2013

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer 
Jeffrey Yaslowitz, Sergeant Thomas Baitinger, Sergeant Karl Lounge, 
Officer Timothy McClintick, Officer Max McDonald, and Officer Douglas 
Weaver of the St. Petersburg Police Department and U.S. Deputy Marshal 
Scott Ley for being awarded the Congressional Badge of Bravery.
   The Congressional Badge of Bravery was established to honor 
exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state, and 
local law enforcement officers. In award year 2012, only 16 Badges of 
Bravery were awarded.
   On January 24, 2011, Officer Yaslowitz, Officer McClintick, and 
Marshal Ley attempted to apprehend a violent fugitive in St. 
Petersburg, Florida.
   Officer Yaslowitz and Marshal Ley courageously engaged the suspect, 
who was hiding in an attic. While attempting to handcuff the suspect, 
Officer Yaslowitz was shot and killed. Marshal Ley was also shot and 
severely

[[Page E746]]

wounded. Officer McClintick was able to pull Marshal Ley from the kill 
zone while coming under fire himself.
   Immediately, a Rapid Response Team comprised of Sergeant Baitinger, 
Sergeant Lounge, Officer MacDonald, and Officer Weaver was formed. 
Sergeant Baitinger, a Rapid Response Instructor, volunteered to lead 
the team into the house to rescue of his fellow officers and was 
fatally wounded.
   Officer Weaver dropped his weapon and attempted to recover the body 
of Officer Yaslowitz, but was driven back by the gunfire and was 
wounded himself. He then helped Officer MacDonald move Officer 
McClintick and Marshal Ley to safety. Officer Weaver was then able to 
move Sergeant Baitinger's body out of the house along with Sergeant 
Lounge and Officer MacDonald.
   On that January evening, it pained me to take to the House floor to 
inform my colleagues of the tragedy that had occurred. As I stated that 
day, ``This is a sober reminder that the men and women who serve us as 
law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day. It is 
also a good time to say thank you for all those who serve us in uniform 
at home or abroad.''
   Sergeant Baitinger and Officer Yaslowitz made the ultimate sacrifice 
while serving their community and now have their names inscribed on the 
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Marshal 
Ley, Sergeant Lounge, Officer MacDonald, Officer Weaver, and Officer 
McClintick all showed tremendous bravery in the line of fire. Because 
of their selfless actions, these law enforcement officers earned the 
Congressional Badge of Bravery.

                          ____________________