[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN MEMORY OF MEMPHIS POLICE K-9 OFFICER GUNNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2016

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the people of 
Memphis who are mourning the loss of a member of the Memphis Police 
Department's K-9 unit.
  Gunner, a fearless German Shepherd, served with his partner and 
handler Sgt. Roosevelt Twilley for five years before retiring in 2010.
  In 2009, Gunner risked his life to help apprehend a suspected thief 
and saved his handler's life in the process. Gunner was stabbed 10 
times during the incident. After emergency surgery and a blood 
transfusion, he returned to duty just two months later.
  Last week, Gunner was laid to rest by his brothers and sisters of the 
Memphis Police Department in recognition of his life-long service to 
the safety of Memphis.
  As a State Senator I offered legislation to increase the penalty for 
shooting police dogs like Gunner because an attack on a member of the 
K-9 unit is an attack on all our police, and we need to protect those 
who protect us from harm.
  We are grateful for their service and we mourn the loss of K-9 
officer Gunner.

                          ____________________