[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 163 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1674-E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THEIR GREAT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY
______
HON. FRANK R. WOLF
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, November 15, 2013
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the following law
enforcement personnel who have recently been honored by the Horseshoe
Curve Benevolent Association for their tireless service and continued
willingness to put their lives on the line to protect our communities.
These honorees include: Trooper Ronnie Riggs, Deputy Greg E. Lambert,
Deputy Stephen A. Moore, Officer George Bell, Sergeant Travis Short,
Officer John Dixon, Investigator Greg Frenzel and Sheriff Lenny
Millholland.
Senior Trooper Ronnie Riggs has served the Virginia Department of
State Police for over 10 years. Working out of the state police
barracks in Kernstown, Trooper Riggs has become a tremendous asset to
the area through his efforts to improve public safety. Trooper Riggs'
service to the community and professionalism are seriously appreciated.
Chief Deputy Travis Sumption began his career as a communications
officer with the Clarke County Sheriff's Office in February 1993. In
1998, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff and after an assignment as a
traffic enforcement deputy in 2004, he became the first person to hold
the title of First Sergeant in Clarke County. In 2006, he worked with
the Clarke County Sheriff's Office regional drug task force and
supervised the general investigations and gang units. After graduating
from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy in 2008, he successfully
managed a complex, multi-jurisdictional murder case. I wish him all the
best in his new role of Chief Deputy.
Deputy Greg E. Lambert has served the Winchester Sheriff's Office
since 2011. He came to the sheriff's office with previous experience
with the Winchester Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police. He
excelled in his work with the ``Don't Bust the Bus'' operation designed
to ticket offenders for passing school buses and is also involved with
Project Lifesaver, a program to save the lives and reduce injury of the
elderly, as well as those who suffer from cognitive conditions such as
Alzheimer's and autism. He is a member of the North and South End
Citizens Groups, which focus on eliminating crime in the City of
Winchester. Deputy Lambert's hard work and commitment to keeping
citizens safe is greatly appreciated.
Deputy Stephen A. Moore serves the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
This summer he demonstrated courage when he rescued a mother of five
from her burning home. He got the mother out of the house safely, and
then ran back into the home when it was engulfed in flames and full of
smoke to ensure that all of the children were safe. I commend him for
his outstanding ability to remain calm and focused in a crisis.
Officer George Bell serves the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention
Center and was recently honored for his remarkable efforts to prevent
the escape of a high-risk inmate. Officer Bell showed resolve when he
took action to address the situation and protect the civilians who
would have otherwise been in grave
[[Page E1675]]
danger. I appreciate his hard work and service to the community.
Sergeant Travis Short serves Mount Weather Police Department.
Recently, he was recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency and also received a Life Saving
Award. In August, he was the first responder to a critical scene where
an individual was in cardiac arrest and severely bleeding. He took
decisive and immediate action to save the person's life. Sergeant
Short's focus on training and his preparedness in crisis greatly
benefit the community he serves so well.
Officer John Dixon serves the Winchester Police Department and was
recently recognized for resuscitating a young woman who was suffering
from an overdose. This was the second time he saved someone in critical
condition. Officer Dixon is an excellent police officer and a leader
among his peers--his colleagues frequently applaud the high quality of
his investigations. His good police work makes him a committed role
model to all those who serve.
Investigator Greg Frenzel has served the Berryville Police Department
since 1997. He began his career as a patrol officer and now serves as
an investigator where he conducts investigations involving major
property loss and crime. Additionally, he has worked as a firearms
instructor and serves with the regional Criminal Justice Academy.
Berryville Chief of Police Neal White has submitted Investigator
Frenzel as the 2013 nominee of the year, citing his valuable
contributions to the department throughout his career. I congratulate
Investigator Frenzel on this nomination and commend him for his
diligent investigative work.
Sheriff Lenny Millholland has served the City of Winchester since
1979. I have known and worked with Lenny for many years. He began his
career as a Cadet Deputy for the Allegany County Sheriff's Office in
Maryland, where he worked for two years before accepting a position
with the Winchester Police Department. During his tenure with the
Winchester Police, he rose through the ranks from patrol officer, K9
Handler, Investigator, and Lieutenant for the Criminal Investigative
Division, which handles murders, rapes and robberies. He is also a
graduate of the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy,
the Maryland State Police K9 Academy and the FBI National Academy
Session 188. In 2001, he was elected Sheriff of the city of Winchester
and shortly after completed the National Sheriff's Institute in
Longmont, Colorado. Over the course of his term as Sheriff, he has been
appointed to a number of committees and boards that service law
enforcement and local non-profit organizations. He is also a past
president of the Virginia Sheriffs Institute, which trains Sheriffs in
Virginia. I commend Lenny on his outstanding career and thank him for
his committed service to the Shenandoah Valley over the years. I wish
him all the best in his retirement.
I am proud to join with the Horseshoe Benevolent Association, which
has been honoring local law enforcement since 2004, to recognize these
officers for their bravery, dedication and strength. We owe them a
sincere debt of gratitude for their service to the 10th District.
I submit the following Winchester Star article on the Horseshoe
Benevolent Association's annual police appreciation dinner.
[From The Winchester Star, Nov. 5, 2013]
Citizen Group Honors Local Law Enforcement
(By Val Van Meter)
Pine Grove--The Horseshoe Curve Benevolent Association
honored eight area law enforcement personnel recently for
their service to the community in 2013.
Those attending the event at the Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire
and Rescue Company in Pine Grove also gave retiring
Winchester Sheriff Lenny Millholland a special tribute for
his 12 years in office.
Association spokesman Jim Wink said the gathering was to
recognize local police and security officers who put their
lives ``on the line'' to protect the community.
Each of the officers honored received a plaque from the
association and a certificate of appreciation from the
Virginia House of Delegates, sponsored by Dels. Joe May, R-
Leesburg, and Beverly Sherwood, R-Frederick County.
Honorees were:
Frederick County Sheriffs Office Deputy Stephen A. Moore,
who was on his way to a court hearing on June 18 when he saw
smoke coming from a residence at 300 N. Kent St. in
Winchester and learned that a child might be in the house.
Despite it not being his jurisdiction, he went to the
scene--and when the mother of the child re-entered the
building he followed her and brought her back out. He then
re-entered the house with two city police officers, though he
was unable to save the child.
Moore's boss, Sheriff Robert Williamson, said his actions
are ``a mirror image of what we all should be.''
Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center officer George
Bell, who was nominated for his actions Aug. 12 in subduing
an inmate who tried to escape while being treated at the
Winchester Medical Center. Bell fought off an attempt by the
inmate to snatch his gun and then pursued him through the
hospital and captured him in the lobby.
Mount Weather Police Department Sgt. Travis Short, who was
honored for responding to a 911 call Aug. 16 for a Federal
Emergency Management Agency employee in cardiac arrest. As
first responder on the scene, he began measures that were
credited with saving the employee's life.
Winchester Police Officer John Dixon, who was nominated for
resuscitating a young woman who was suffering from a drug
overdose. His action on Sept. 26 was the second time that
Dixon had been able to restore someone's breathing.
State Police Trooper Ronnie Riggs, who has served on the
force for more than 10 years.
Riggs, who works from the Kernstown Barracks, was praised
for his ``professionalism'' in enforcing criminal statutes
and driving safety efforts.
Clarke County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Travis Sumption,
who joined the department as a communications officer and
moved to a deputy position in 1998. Sumption was later
appointed first sergeant and became one of the few members of
the county's investigative unit, working with the Northwest
Virginia Regional Drug Task Force and on gang activities.
Winchester Sheriffs Office Deputy Greg E. Lambert, who was
cited for a number of community policing efforts including
work on an enforcement program to stop drivers from passing
school buses that are picking up or dropping off students.
Berryville Police Department Investigator Greg Frenzel, who
was nominated for his professionalism in handling
investigations, especially those involving major property
loss and crimes against persons.
Clarke County Sheriff Anthony ``Tony'' Roper praised
retiring Winchester Sheriff Lenny Millholland, who he said
exemplifies the concern a sheriff should have for his
community.
Roper said Millholland originally planned to study
veterinary medicine at Allegany College in Cumberland, Md.,
but switched to criminal justice.
Millholland joined the Winchester Police Department in 1979
and moved from patrol officer to canine handler, investigator
and then lieutenant for the Investigative Division.
He was elected city sheriff in 2001.
Roper said Millholland has served on numerous boards and
committees in both law enforcement and for nonprofit
organizations serving the community.
He is a past president of the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute,
a nonprofit organization that handles training and education
for sheriffs in the state.
Millholland received a standing ovation from the audience
as he accepted a plaque from Del. May.
The Horseshoe Curve Benevolent Association is a citizens
group, based in Pine Grove, which raises funds for groups and
organizations that serve the community, mostly in Clarke
County. Among other efforts, it supports the Blue Ridge
Volunteer Fire Company and senior and handicapped residents
of the Johnson-Williams Apartments, and presents a
scholarship annually to a Clarke County High School senior.
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