[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Honoring Sheriff's Deputy Heath Gumm

  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I rise to speak about a horrible tragedy 
that occurred in Adams County, CO, on January 24, just last week. Adams 
County sheriff's deputy Heath Gumm was pursuing a suspect when he was 
shot and killed in the line of duty.
  Heath was 31 years old and is survived by his wife and other loving 
family members. He had served with the Adams County Sheriff's Office 
since 2012, which was not a surprise to those who knew him best, 
because of his upbringing.
  He grew up in a family of first responders. His father is a retired 
West Metro Fire Protection District engineer. So his teachers and 
classmates who knew Heath as a student at Mullen High School, in 
Denver, were not shocked to learn that he had decided to become a law 
enforcement officer.
  As reported by the Denver Post, Heath's ninth grade English teacher, 
Sean Keefe, said:

       By all accounts, he lived his life as a grown man as he did 
     as a kid. He was a good guy. That didn't change. That only 
     got more accentuated as he grew up. He lifted his friends. He 
     made his friends the best version of themselves, and they did 
     that to him as well.

  Heath's cousin remembers him as the ``kind of man you wanted out 
there protecting our streets. He was kind, fair, funny and friendly to 
everyone.''
  Keefe went on to remember Heath as ``someone people gravitated 
towards, and he was someone who people could count on.''
  It is these qualities that made Heath such an incredible sheriff's 
deputy.
  At a press conference last Thursday, Adams County sheriff Michael 
McIntosh read parts of a letter he had received from a stranded 
motorist whom Heath had recently helped when he was out on patrol.
  The resident wrote: ``Heath made the interaction enjoyable and easy 
to get through instead of acting like I was in trouble or a nuisance.''
  Heath showed what it means to be a law enforcement officer who 
selflessly serves and protects a community. He went to work each and 
every day--ready to walk that thin blue line.
  When we lose an officer in Colorado, I come to this Chamber to honor 
his sacrifice and recite the words of LTC Dave Grossman, who wrote that 
American law enforcement is the loyal and brave sheepdog who is always 
standing watch for the wolf that lurks in the dark.
  Unfortunately, many in this Chamber have heard me read that quote far 
too often in the last weeks.
  Across Colorado and across the country, we owe so much to Heath and 
law enforcement officers for their service. Instead of fleeing to 
safety, they run toward danger to save lives. They provide hope and 
safety to our families in the worst of times.
  I thank Heath for answering the call. He protected his community. I, 
along with Coloradans across the State, are forever grateful. We will 
never forget his sacrifice, and we will always honor his memory.
  We also lost a sheriff's deputy on New Year's Eve in Colorado, just a 
few weeks before. In a tribute to him, I read something that former 
State Representative Joe Rice had written during his service in the 
Army. I think it is appropriate to share it now because, each and every 
day they wake up, I know the thoughts of many in law enforcement are 
reflected in the words of Representative Joe Rice:

       In a few hours, it will be Christmas in Afghanistan. I 
     spent 3 Christmas Days in Iraq. Only on one of them did I 
     have to go out on Christmas Day, itself. I found myself 
     praying that I didn't want to die this day and ruin every 
     future Christmas for my family. I realize that most of the 
     other soldiers I was with were quietly or openly saying the 
     same thing.
       So, for all of those around the world who are in harm's 
     way, we pray with you: Please God, just not today.

  To our men and women in law enforcement, please know that I pray with 
you each and every day: Please God, just not this day.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kennedy). The Senator from Florida.