[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OFFICER PHILLIP MEACHAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to honor the service and 
sacrifice of Officer Phillip Meacham, of the Hopkinsville Police 
Department, who lost his life in faithful service to his community.
  Like all members of law enforcement, Officer Meacham put his safety 
at risk each and every day for those he was sworn to protect. However, 
on March 29, 2018, tragedy struck in a targeted act of violence when an 
individual impersonating a police officer fatally shot him.
  For a small community like Hopkinsville, KY, Officer Meacham's 
killing appalled everyone to their core. This type of senseless 
violence had no place in their or any community, and Officer Meacham's 
loss sent shockwaves throughout western Kentucky. During his funeral 
procession, hundreds of people--both friends and total strangers--lined 
the streets to honor him.
  Officer Meacham joined the Hopkinsville Police Department last May 
after more than a decade at the Christian County Sherriff's Department. 
His honorable service to this community will be remembered for years to 
come by the men and women who served with him in uniform and by the 
wife and young daughter he left behind.
  As the community mourns Officer Meacham, we are all reminded of the 
ever-present danger that the brave members of law enforcement face. 
Officer Meacham's courage and heroism were hallmarks of his service, 
and his community is safer because of him.
  I would like to express my deepest condolences to Officer Meacham's 
family, to the Hopkinsville Police Department, and to all those who 
knew him. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in honoring this 
Kentucky hero.

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