[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 27, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OFFICER DOUGLAS BARNEY

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a beloved 
father, a loving husband, and a fallen hero: Officer Douglas Barney of 
the Unified Police Department. Officer Barney was killed in the line of 
duty last week when attempting to question a man at the scene of an 
accident. In the wake of Doug's passing, the Barney family has 
experienced an outpouring of love and support from law enforcement 
officials not only in Utah, but across the Nation. As a testament to 
Doug's generosity and the many lives he touched, more than 10,000 
people attended his funeral services on Monday. Today I join the many 
who mourn by honoring Officer Douglas Barney--a man of character, 
commitment, kindness, and courage.
  Doug's dedication to law enforcement was matched by his zeal for 
life. As a teenager, he explored the outdoors, rode dirt bikes on the 
hills behind his home, and raced cars on Utah's old Bonneville Raceway. 
As a police officer, he loved the thrill of a high-speed chase and had 
a knack for defusing tense situations with a well-timed joke. An 
indomitable sense of humor endeared him not only to those he loved, but 
even to those he arrested.
  On one particular occasion, he was tasked to handle a DUI situation 
involving a female arrestee whose behavior was growing increasingly 
erratic. Instead of reacting with force, Doug responded with humor by 
continuously joking with the arrestee. His off-the-cuff comedy replaced 
the woman's threats with smiles and her cries with laughter. 
Eventually, she calmed down enough to cooperate. As one of Doug's 
colleagues recalls, the two left ``the best of friends.'' Only Doug 
could have managed such a feat.
  Doug's humor helped him cope with the rigors of a stressful career in 
law enforcement. It also helped him overcome serious illness. No 
stranger to adversity, Doug battled back from bladder cancer just a 
year before his death. Cancer could weaken his body, but it could do 
nothing to dampen his spirits. Throughout the ordeal, Doug maintained a 
cheerful disposition and refined his trademark sense of humor.
  In addition to laughter, Doug drew strength from family. He 
befriended his wife, Erika, when they were growing up together in 
California. While Erika was studying at Brigham Young University, their 
relationship took a romantic turn, and Doug asked her to marry him. 
Erika was caught off guard by the proposal and was initially reluctant, 
but Doug persisted. Time and again, he asked Erika to be his wife. 
After several months, she finally accepted, and the two were married in 
1996. Together, they had three beautiful children: Matilda, Meredith, 
and Jacob.
  Shortly after their marriage, Doug told Erika that he dreamed of 
becoming a police officer. With her support, he began an 18-year career 
in law enforcement. Doug's fellow police officers will always remember 
him for his work ethic, gregariousness, and larger-than-life 
personality. Over many years of consistent, hard work, Doug won not 
only the love and friendship of his colleagues, but also their respect 
and admiration.
  Like thousands across our Nation, I am deeply saddened by the passing 
of Officer Barney. I am immensely grateful for Doug's example and for 
the service of countless police officers like him. Each day, these 
selfless men and women risk their own well-being to ensure the safety 
of others. They are the most courageous of public servants, and I 
believe Doug was among the best of them. He was a man who lived and 
loved deeply. He made people laugh, he made them smile, and he helped 
them hope.
  I pray that Doug's memory might continue to inspire and bless those 
he loved.

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