[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE THIN BLUE LINE: OFFICER REGINALD GUTIERREZ

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 5, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our men and women in blue are the best 
we have. They are the thin blue line between good and evil. Each day 
these men and women head out into the field not knowing what they will 
face, not knowing if their day will be filled with routine traffic 
stops, or extreme dangers. Our peace officers face the unknown and 
stand up for the rest of us.
  Reginald ``Jake'' Gutierrez was one of these men. Gutierrez was 
responding to a domestic violence call in Tacoma, Washington after a 
woman approached animal control officers claiming her husband had 
locked her out of the house and taken her cell phone. Gutierrez and his 
partner entered the home. Shots rang out as he proceeded up the stairs 
to speak with the suspect. Two young children were held hostage inside 
the house, being used as human shields. His partner returned fire, 
taking the wife to safety. Gutierrez was shot multiple times, his life 
taken away by a vicious criminal.
  Gutierrez gave his life to protect the young and innocent. As a 
veteran of the Department since 1999, 45-year-old Gutierrez was a model 
police officer. Each day he got up, put on the uniform and badge and 
dedicated himself to his profession and community. He is now the 132nd 
officer to die in the line of duty this year alone. At least eight of 
these deaths occurred while responding to reports of domestic 
disturbance and violence.
  Hundreds of individuals came to honor Gutierrez as he made his way 
from the hospital to the medical examiner's office. The hospital was 
surrounded by fellow officers standing in support of their fallen 
brother. The King County Sheriff's Department ordered all Deputies to 
wear mourning bands in honor of the fallen peace officer.
  The needless murder of our officers is absolutely unacceptable. These 
men and women work tirelessly, day in and day out trying to make a 
difference. It is time to put an end to the needless murder of our 
peace officers. Congress must stand up for those who work to protect 
the rest of us. The men and women behind the badge are some of 
America's best.
  Officer Reginald ``Jake'' Gutierrez's life may be gone, but his 
memory serves as a reminder of all those who gave their lives for the 
thin blue line.
  And that's just the way it is.

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