[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 214 (Friday, December 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1762-E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN VIRGINIA'S 10TH CONGRESSIONAL 
                                DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 29, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the following 
law enforcement personnel who have recently been honored by the 12th 
Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner that took place in Clarke 
County, for their invaluable service and commitment to our communities. 
Therefore I include in the Record the following excerpts from a speech 
delivered by Mr. Jim Wink, the founder of the Horseshoe Curve 
Benevolent Association, which sponsored the dinner.


              Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center

                         Officer Benjamin Mace

       Officer Mace was selected to be recognized for his 
     exceptional performance of duty last February. Officer Mace 
     observed an inmate not acting in a normal fashion and after 
     further observation he noticed the inmate had a bedsheet tied 
     around his neck and an additional knot and loop tied around 
     his feet in order to pull the device tighter. After notifying 
     Officer Keister of the situation, officer Mace entered the 
     inmate's cell and used his 911 knife to cut the sheet from 
     the inmate's neck. Officer Mace's response to this critical 
     situation was highly professional and reflects great credit 
     upon them, the Regional Detention Center and our profession.
       Officer Mace, congratulations and thank you for being there 
     for us.


                      Berryville Police Department

                       Officer Joseph Shoremount

       Officer Shoremount has been a member of the Berryville 
     Police Department since 2015 and has quickly become a 
     familiar face with many members of the community, especially 
     the downtown business owners. Joe makes it a point to take 
     the time to contact the community in a meaningful way, and 
     has even been known to keep a football in his trunk for an 
     occasional pickup game of football in Rose Hill Park.
       Joe has been instrumental in orchestrating several 
     community engagement events to include national night out 
     activities, wellness and safety fairs at the Mary Hardesty 
     House, and holiday toy collections for under-served children 
     in the area. For Joe, being a police officer in a small town 
     involves much more than taking reports and writing tickets. 
     He strives to look for ways to be proactive in dealing with 
     community concerns while representing the department in a 
     professional and empathetic manner.
       Officer Shoremount, congratulations and thank you for being 
     there for us.


                     Clarke County Sheriffs Office

       The Clarke County Sheriffs Office has nominated several 
     employees that support their officers and security efforts. 
     The first is Mr. Robert Wilkerson. Robert is a communications 
     specialist. He has been employed at this office since 2001. 
     During his tenure, he has been called on numerous occasions 
     to fill in, work over his assigned shifts, and report for 
     work on short notice. Bob has demonstrated the ability to 
     work under extreme stress. His professionalism is appreciated 
     by all. He mentors less experienced staff and is always 
     approachable. We truly appreciate Bob for his numerous 
     accomplishments and his loyalty. Mr. Wilkerson, thank you for 
     your outstanding support to those who protect us.

[[Page E1763]]

       The next two outstanding workers who support the Clarke 
     County Sheriffs Office are Beth Marple and Jim Pearce. They 
     are the victim witness coordinators for Clarke County and the 
     City of Winchester. Beth is an inspiration for all of those 
     in public safety. She works tirelessly for many hours and 
     always has a great attitude. As a victim's advocate, she has 
     no equal. Jim Pearce is a shining example of humility and a 
     man with a big heart. In addition to his work with victims of 
     crimes, Jim accepts all related challenges. As president of 
     the local fop and crime solvers, he helps law enforcement in 
     countless ways. Beth and Jim, thank you for being there when 
     the sheriff and the people need you.
       The next awards are somewhat unusual, so I am turning their 
     presentation over to Clarke County Sheriff Tony Roper.
       Sheriff Roper: On July 12, 2017, Deputy Jacob Kennedy 
     responded to a report of an armed larceny of an automobile. 
     Deputy Kennedy located the vehicle and attempted to affect a 
     traffic stop. The suspect exited the vehicle and ran into an 
     adjacent wooded area. Local law enforcement from several 
     jurisdictions, with the help of K-9' s and a helicopter, 
     conducted a search of the area but were not able to find the 
     suspect. However, Wayne Warfield Jr., Brian Morgan, and 
     Shannon Dulaney did. They located the suspect in a field 
     adjacent to their residence.
       The quick and brave response from these three, detaining 
     the suspect and relaying this information to emergency 
     communications personnel, made the arrest of this suspect 
     possible. For their actions of courage and selflessness, we 
     recognize Wayne Warfield Jr., Brian Morgan, and Shannon 
     Dulaney for their extraordinary concern for the safety and 
     security of the citizens of Clarke County. Thank you very 
     much for being there.


                    Frederick County Sheriffs Office

                      Deputy Samantha K. Garrison

                        Deputy Travis W. Adamson

       On May 13, 2017, Deputy Garrison and Adamson dispatched to 
     a call in Stephens City where an infant wasn't breathing. 
     Deputy Garrison, being the first unit to arrive and found an 
     infant female baby, 4 days old, unconscious and not 
     breathing. Deputy Garrison jumped into action and started CPR 
     on the baby. Deputy Adamson arrived shortly after and 
     assisted Deputy Garrison in performing CPR. This CPR was 
     continued until fire and rescue units arrived. The baby, 
     whose name is Georgina, had a faint pulse when transported to 
     the E.R. She was later transferred to the NICU and then onto 
     UVA at Charlottesville. Had it not been for the quick action 
     of these deputies, it is likely the outcome would have been 
     completely different. The sheriffs department made contact 
     with the mother of this child and she confirmed that little 
     Georgina was doing well.
       Deputy Garrison and deputy Adamson, congratulations and 
     thank you for being there when needed.


                    Winchester City Sheriff's office

       The staff of the Sheriff's office made the choice of who 
     should be recognized. The deputy they chose has been in law 
     enforcement for 2 decades and has been a patrol deputy, 
     investigator and narcotics agent. For almost 4 years now, he 
     has been a valued asset of the Winchester city sheriff's 
     office and the citizens of Winchester. He has spearheaded 
     this organization in becoming one of the most professional 
     sheriff's offices in the United States. He has set them apart 
     and above others by implementing cost saving measures, kept a 
     balanced and frugal budget, updated equipment with no or 
     little cost, provided the department with a complete set of 
     general orders, initiated emergency response protocols for 
     the Joint Judicial Center, set guidelines for safer handling 
     of prisoners, began a Naloxone program, implemented an in-
     house training program thus reducing time and cost spent by 
     deputies on the road, conducted active shooter trainings for 
     courthouse staff, designed the office's first website, placed 
     the department on social media, implemented several community 
     relations programs such as reading for children and cops and 
     robbers, co-authored 2 books for children, began a sheriff's 
     office foundation, implemented mandatory cit/cpr and first 
     aid training for all deputies, started the sheriff's office's 
     first srt team, upgraded the joint judicial center's 
     security, obtained an explosive k9 for no cost, and made the 
     Winchester city sheriff's office Virginia's 96th law 
     enforcement office to achieve accreditation from the Virginia 
     Law Enforcement Professional Standards Committion. This 
     deputy is the first one in the office and the last one to 
     leave. He is not just a deputy, he is a leader, he is out 
     friend, and he is our sheriff--Sheriff Les R. Taylor.
       Sheriff Taylor, congratulations and thank you for all that 
     you have done and are planning on doing for us.


          Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force

             Va State Police Special Agent Joshua T. Price

       Special Agent Price has been a strong team player and has 
     established himself as a natural leader within the task 
     force. In the last 12 months, he has been the case agent for 
     investigations that have led to some very notable and 
     outstanding seizures. As a result of his diligence and hard 
     work, SA Price seized over 300 grams of cocaine, over 100 
     grams of crack cocaine, over 5700 doses of MDMA, over 2300 
     grams of marijuana and over 10,000 grams of synthetic 
     marijuana. The approximate street value of all the narcotics 
     seized is greater than $300,000. He was also able to seize 
     over $50,000 in US currency and two vehicles that were the 
     proceeds of illegal narcotics sales. SA Price obtained and 
     executed 17 search warrants within the last year.
       While extremely busy with his own investigations, SA Price 
     has continuously made himself available to assist all team 
     members with their own investigations. He truly understands 
     the concept of being a ``team player''. SA Price also served 
     as a field training agent to two newly promoted special 
     agents assigned to the task force. He has volunteered his own 
     personal time to be an active particiant with Operation 
     Prevention to educate local students on the dangers of 
     illegal narcotics and to prevent the addictions that are 
     plaguing our nation. The task force commends Special Agent 
     Josh Price for his excellent work ethic, pride in his 
     community and his continuous efforts to make it a safer and 
     better place for all our citizens.
       Special Agent Joshua T. Price, congratulations and thank 
     you for being there for us.


                            Va State Police

                         Trooper Brian G. Davis

       Trooper Davis serves and protects the counties of Clarke, 
     Frederick, and Warren by enforcing all traffic and criminal 
     laws and exemplifying outstanding service and dedication to 
     the community in which he resides. Trooper Davis endures 
     countless hours serving the department as a trooper, crime 
     prevention specialist, accident reconstructionist, field 
     training officer, as well as, driving under the influence 
     (dui) detection basic instructor. He also served as a mentor 
     for the 125th State Police Trooper Basic Session from August, 
     2016 through March, 2017. There he assisted the State Police 
     Academy staff with the coordination of training for 65 new 
     troopers. He did this on a voluntary basis and did so without 
     any complaints during the 26 weeks away from home.
       Trooper Davis's investigative skills are outstanding, and 
     he provides invaluable guidance and instruction to fellow 
     troopers within the area. Furthermore, his knowledge of the 
     laws of Virginia enhances his ability to effectively 
     communicate with the community. Trooper Davis is a true asset 
     to the department, as well as the area. Thank you, Trooper 
     Brian G. Davis, for your outstanding service and for always 
     being there when needed.
       The Virginia State Police also wants to honor Master 
     Trooper Jerry P. Bosserman of the criminal justice 
     information services division, sex offender investigative 
     unit. Trooper Bosserman serves as the sole state police 
     trooper assigned to this unit for the city of Winchester and 
     the counties of Clarke, Frederick, and Warren. He oversees 
     the compliance of Virginia sex offender registry laws through 
     daily contact with offenders to assure they are properly 
     registered. In addition, he assures they are in compliance 
     with laws dictating where the offenders live, work, vehicle 
     registration information, as well as their use of the 
     internet. He also provides educational programs to assist sex 
     offenders semi-annually. This ensures awareness of new law 
     changes and their duties and responsibilities to remain in 
     compliance. As a result, he has established the lowest 
     recidivism rate in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
       When an offender has not followed the laws, Trooper 
     Bosserman pursues their cases through the identification and 
     expeditious pursuit of all leads, collection and preservation 
     of evidence, and the arrest of violators. Thereafter, he 
     presents the case to the court providing the evidence and 
     testimony in accordance with his training, laws, policies, 
     and procedures as it relates to the State Police Sex Offender 
     Registry.
       Trooper Bosserman graduated from the Va. State Police Basic 
     Academy in July, 1978. His initial duty assignment was to the 
     Winchester area and he has served this community for over 40 
     years. His investigative skills are outstanding, and he 
     provides invaluable guidance and instruction to fellow 
     troopers and cooperating agencies across the commonwealth. 
     Furthermore, his knowledge of the laws of Virginia enhances 
     his ability to effectively communicate with the community. 
     The Virginia State Police strongly believe that Trooper 
     Bosserman is a true asset to the department, as well as, to 
     the sex offender investigative unit.
       Last but not least, three years ago we recognized and 
     presented a plaque and goodies to a very famous Virginia 
     State Police dog named Kota. He almost lost his life that 
     year chasing a criminal. Sadly, Kota passed on just recently. 
     He obviously will be missed. Thank you, Kota, for your 
     service.
       That, ladies and gentlemen, highlights how lucky we 
     citizens of Northern Virginia are, given the outstanding 
     people we have protecting us. When we started putting 
     together tonight's program, we were extremely pleased at the 
     local response. If this program was open to the public, I 
     don't think there is a facility in the area that could hold 
     all those citizens that would want to thank you for what you 
     do for us. Thank you and your families for all that you do.

[[Page E1764]]

  

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