[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 112 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

            REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT JAMES ``JIMMY'' GERAGHTY

 Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and honor 
the exceptional service and the extraordinary life of New Hampshire 
State Police Lieutenant James ``Jimmy'' Geraghty of Bedford, NH. I join 
his family, his friends, and the law enforcement community in New 
Hampshire in mourning Jim's passing after a courageous battle with 
cancer. I had the honor of working with Jim over the years, and I know 
that he made a positive difference for so many people in our State. Jim 
truly embodied a life of service, a life of heroism, and a life of 
integrity.
  Lieutenant Geraghty served honorably in the U.S. Army for 5 years, 
where he was stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia, Fort Polk in 
Louisiana, and Fort Richardson in Arkansas. Ultimately, he earned the 
rank of sergeant and received an honorable discharge. After 
courageously serving our Nation, he then returned home to New Hampshire 
and embarked on a career in law enforcement, first serving as a police 
officer in the Hudson Police Department, after which he became a 
trooper for the New Hampshire State police.
  Jim was a member of the New Hampshire State police for 24 years and 
rose to the rank of commander of the New Hampshire State police major 
crimes unit--a post in which he served until he became ill last year. 
Lieutenant Geraghty handled some of the most troubling and horrific 
cases. He always conducted himself with incredible dedication and 
commitment.
  In 2009, Lieutenant Geraghty led the investigation into the brutal 
Mont Vernon homicide that focused on multiple, juvenile defendants and 
was a ``complex, and extremely time-consuming investigation.'' Despite 
these challenges, Jim's thoroughness and professionalism as commander 
of the major crimes unit allowed the prosecution to successfully 
convict all the defendants involved.
  As New Hampshire's former attorney general, I worked closely with the 
major crimes unit, and those of us who had the privilege of working 
with Jim saw his natural talent for leadership and keen ability to work 
collaboratively with others. He represented the very best of New 
Hampshire's law enforcement officers.
  While Jim was known for his many professional accolades, he was a 
humble man who never wanted to discuss his accomplishments. Instead, 
Jim lived by the motto ``family first,'' which was very apparent to 
anyone who knew him. Jim and his wife, Valerie, were married for 30 
years. Together they had four wonderful children--a son, Jimmy, and 
daughters, Colleen, Katie, and Erin.
  I am honored to recognize Lieutenant Jim Geraghty and his tremendous 
contributions to New Hampshire as the commander of the major crimes 
unit. Jim was an amazing individual and a committed family man. There 
is no question that he lived his life with great dedication, courage, 
and integrity.
  We are all deeply saddened by the untimely loss of this true hero, a 
dear friend, and a beloved father, Lieutenant Jim Geraghty. My thoughts 
and prayers remain with Valerie, Jimmy, Colleen, Katie, and Erin. I 
continue to offer my deepest condolences and gratitude for Jim's life 
and his work. Jim gave so much to New Hampshire and our Nation and 
truly represented what it means to be an American.

                          ____________________