[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  IN TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MICHAEL SMITH OF THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2016

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise today 
to pay tribute to Sergeant Michael Smith of the Dallas Police 
Department. Sgt. Smith, along with his fellow police officers: Lorne 
Aherns, Michael Krol, Brent Thompson, and Patrick Zamarripa died in the 
tragic police ambush in Dallas, Texas, last week. All of these officers 
were serving to help facilitate the First Amendment rights of all 
citizens to freely assemble and express their views. When shots rang 
out in downtown Dallas on the evening of July 7th and the early morning 
of July 8th, these officers ran towards the danger and harm's way to 
keep the citizens safe that they are sworn to protect.
  A resident of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, Sgt. Smith 
lived in Carrollton and was a veteran supervisor officer of the Dallas 
Police Department (DPD), having joined the force in 1989. Prior to his 
service as a police officer, Sgt. Smith served all of us by wearing a 
different uniform--the uniform of an Army Ranger. In both his military 
and police service, Michael Smith was among the very best of public 
servants.
  Service in uniform was only one of the ways that Michael Smith gave 
back to the community. He was an active volunteer member for his 
church, Watermark Community Church, and the YMCA. His lasting legacy 
will be found in the hearts of the many people whom he touched, served, 
and protected.
  He is survived by his wife Heidi, a teacher at Mary Immaculate 
Catholic School and a former city employee for Farmers Branch, Texas, 
and two daughters, Victoria and Caroline.
  I ask that all of my colleagues, and the entire nation, honor the 
life of Sgt. Michael Smith and keep the Smith family in their thoughts 
and prayers.

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