[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING SANTA CRUZ CHIEF OF POLICE KEVIN VOGEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Santa Cruz Chief 
of Police Kevin Vogel for his 30 years of service to the Santa Cruz 
Police Department, and the community it serves.
   Chief Vogel has dedicated his entire career to the people of Santa 
Cruz, and was first sworn in as a cadet for the SCPD in June 1987. 
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Chief Vogel has served in 
numerous capacities in the Department, including as a patrol officer, 
traffic officer and detective. He was promoted to sergeant in January 
1995 where he served as a patrol supervisor, downtown supervisor and 
detective sergeant. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002, and to 
Deputy Chief of Police in May 2004. He was appointed as the City's 21st 
Chief of Police on December 9, 2010.
   A champion of creative and transparent community-oriented policing, 
Chief Vogel oversaw the implementation of a highly successful and 
innovative predictive policing program. This program utilizes 
technology based on earthquake prediction technology, and was praised 
by numerous media outlets and law enforcement agencies around the 
country, including The New York Times, ABC World News, and was even 
named as one of Time Magazine's ``50 Best New Inventions'' of 2011. 
More important than the accolades however, was the significant 
reduction in crime rates experienced under the program. Under Chief 
Vogel's leadership, Santa Cruz policing became a model for the nation.
   Chief Vogel also shouldered the impossible task of guiding the SCPD 
through its greatest hardship that occurred on February 26, 2013 when 
two officers, Sgt. Loran ``Butch'' Baker and Detective Elizabeth 
Butler, were tragically gunned down in the line of duty. This 
devastating crime shook our community to its core as we all mourned the 
loss of these fallen heroes. Through this time of uncertainty, Chief 
Vogel acted with honor and poise. He memorialized his fallen officers 
beautifully, and guided a deeply aggrieved department and community 
through this very difficult time. As time has passed, Chief Vogel 
ensured that the memories of Sgt. Baker and Detective Butler will not 
fade, and challenges his officers every day to honor their legacy and 
ultimate sacrifice by continuing to selflessly perform the work of 
upholding public safety in their communities.
   Mr. Speaker, as someone who has dedicated their career to public 
service, it is my pleasure to add my name to the chorus of thanks and 
congratulations to someone who embodies that ideal of service to 
others. I whole-heartedly congratulate Chief Kevin Vogel on his 
retirement, and wish him all the best. There is no doubt that his 
commitment to justice, security, and prosperity for his community of 
Santa Cruz will serve as an enduring legacy.

                          ____________________