[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4205-H4206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

[[Page H4206]]

  

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I recognize National Police Week; however, 
every day I am aware that officers protect and serve, put their lives 
on the line each day they serve, and some give their lives for that 
service.
  I also recognize what officers realize, that their sacrifice and 
service is for everybody: people they know and don't know, and people 
who love them and people who hate them.
  That is a big part of why our officers should be recognized, because 
no matter who it is, no matter what the danger is, police are trained 
to and police do what we naturally don't do as civilians: they run 
towards the danger, not away from it.
  As a former prosecutor, I worked with many law enforcement officers 
that I will never forget. More importantly, there are victims and 
victims' family members who will never forget the service of police, 
including the family of Azahel Cruz, a 6-year-old that was killed in a 
drive-by shooting.
  The case went unsolved for 5 years; however, due to the dogged 
determination of Officer Tom Larkin and DA Investigator Peter Austin, 
witnesses were found, evidence was presented, I proved the case at 
trial, and a murderer was convicted and removed from the streets for 
good.
  Police work will never replace the life of Azahel, but that service 
and the service and sacrifice of our officers is exactly why we 
recognize our police officers this week.

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