[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DEPUTY SHERIFF DARREN GOFORTH--TEXAS LAWMAN

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Friday, in the blistering heat of 
Houston, Texas, 11,000 people, including the Governor, attended the 
event; many more stood outside. The ceremony was broadcast live on all 
four local TV stations. Helicopters flew overhead. Peace officers from 
the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom were there. The city 
and State gave their final tribute and respect for one of its fallen--
Harris County Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth.
  Darren left behind a widow, Kathleen, and children: Ava, 12, and 
Ryan, 5.
  Darren was assassinated the week before while he was putting gasoline 
in his patrol car, apparently targeted because he was a peace officer. 
He was shot in the back of the head 15 times. An individual was quickly 
captured, and he is charged with capital murder.
  Darren Goforth was a happy guy. He loved his family. He loved his 
second career as a lawman and loved working on old cars.
  Everyone liked Darren. Even a local thief posted on social media that 
Goforth was his favorite police officer.
  Darren loved his kids and recently bought his son and himself Captain 
America t-shirts. Ryan, his son, wore his t-shirt at the funeral. 
Deputy Goforth was buried in his Captain America t-shirt underneath his 
uniform.
  Peace officers like Goforth are a rare breed. They rush to 
emergencies and dangers while most flee from them. Their life is 
dedicated to serving and protecting others. They are willing to 
sacrifice everything for the rest of us. Darren Goforth was that type 
of peace officer.
  Mr. Speaker, when the funeral was over and the bagpipers had played 
``Amazing Grace'' and the buglers had played ``Taps,'' it started to 
rain, as if the angels above were shedding tears for a remarkable guy, 
Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth.
  And that is just the way it is.

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