[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         OFFICER BENJAMIN DEEN

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2015

  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bravery, 
fortitude, and sacrifice demonstrated by Officer Benjamin J. Deen, a 
member of the Hattiesburg Police Department, who was tragically slain 
in the line of duty on Saturday, the ninth day of May in the year two 
thousand and fifteen.
  Officer Benjamin J. Deen, known as ``B. J.'', was thirty-four years 
old, a resident of Sumrall, Mississippi, and a graduate of Sumrall High 
School. He was a loving husband to his wife, Robin, and devoted father 
to his son Walker and daughter Melah. Prior to becoming a police 
officer, B. J. attended the Mississippi Fire Training Academy and 
served his community as a firefighter. He later attended the 
Hattiesburg Police Training Academy and became a patrolman with 
Hattiesburg Police Force. Deen soon after trained to become a K-9 
officer and bonded with Tommy, his K-9 counterpart, who also became a 
beloved member of the family.
  Together, B. J. and Tommy successfully apprehended and arrested 
numerous drug-related offenders. Officer Deen was not only an 
exceptional citizen and neighbor, but he chose to live a life of 
service, stepping into harm's way daily in order to protect his 
community.
  An exceptional member of the force, Deen was named Hattiesburg Police 
Department's 2012 Officer of the Year. He was an outstanding and 
respectable man and a valuable asset to the Hattiesburg Police 
Department, even earning perfect attendance during two of his nearly 
six years on the force.
  The City of Hattiesburg and the Great State of Mississippi have 
suffered the loss of one of our own: a family member and a protector 
and defender of our Constitution and laws. Every citizen deeply and 
sincerely feels the loss of such a devoted law enforcement officer, and 
his service, heroism, and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________