[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 123 (Thursday, July 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1028-E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF NEW YORK STATE TROOPER JOEL DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2017

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of New 
York State Trooper Joel Davis, a Watertown native who was recently 
killed in the line of duty while serving his community. I extend my 
condolences to his family, especially his wife, Suzanne, and three 
children. Joel Davis lived his life in a way that was truly indicative 
of his North Country values. He was deeply dedicated to his family and 
completely invested in the well-being of his community members.
  After graduating from Indian River High School, Trooper Davis 
attended Jefferson Community College, and eventually went on to 
graduate from the Black River/St. Lawrence Valley Police Academy in 
2003. He worked as a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy for 10 years 
before his service as a New York State Trooper, where he was known as a 
``go-to guy,'' responsible for the Philadelphia, New York satellite 
station outside of Fort Drum. Additionally, Davis was a certified 
sniper with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and 
was a field training officer for both the Sheriff and State Police. 
Davis will be fondly remembered as a fair cop who heard both sides of 
every situation and was always first-on-scene when an issue arose. He 
was an honest, polite, friendly, and kind man who wanted to help the 
community he called home.

[[Page E1029]]

  Joel Davis had an older brother, Josh, who is a member of the 
Watertown City Police Department. Josh cites his brother as one of the 
most important role models in his life, and the reason he chose a 
career in law enforcement. Though Joel was considered the more serious 
of the two brothers, he also loved a good joke and to laugh--he loved 
to dance to music and have fun.
  Trooper Davis also loved sports and grew up playing every sport 
imaginable with his family and friends. In his spare time, he 
volunteered as a coach and commissioner of a youth baseball league, and 
has had a lasting impact on the lives of the many young athletes he 
worked with.
  This past Saturday, thousands of officers attended the services for 
Trooper Joel Davis. We will not forget Trooper Davis and the ultimate 
sacrifice he made. Our hearts mourn with his family, friends, and the 
entire law enforcement community.

                          ____________________