[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTIES SAVE LIVES

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the past month, four deputies of 
the Harris County Sheriff's Office saved two lives.
   On a Sunday morning in early May, Deputies Jesse Leal and Rebecca 
Cruz were driving along I-45 when they came upon a man dangling from an 
I-45 overpass, apparently attempting to take his own life. Covered in 
mud, oil, and water from a previous call, Leal pulled over and dashed 
to the side of the bridge. He and Cruz then leaned over the edge of the 
overpass, risking their own wellbeing, and began heaving the 21-year-
old back onto the road. Leal injured his knee in the process, but the 
two successfully pulled the young man to safety.
   In June, Deputy Blake McElhaney was driving home, exhausted after 
having worked the night shift. On his way, he noticed an accident, a 
nasty one, on the side of the road. Although he was no longer on duty, 
McElhaney pulled over and jumped out of his car to help the victims.
   Upon his arrival, he discovered an infant, just seven months old, 
trapped under a dashboard. He called for backup, and then proceeded to 
shield the helpless baby from glass.
   Backup came in the form of Deputy Joe Leal. Leal rushed to the side 
of his partner and lifted the dashboard enough to take pressure off of 
the infant. The two continued to protect the small girl until the 
Spring Volunteer Fire Department arrived. With their assistance, Leal 
raised the dashboard high enough to pull the baby out of the wrecked 
car safely. The girl was then life-flighted to a nearby hospital.
   For their exceptional performance in the line of duty, these four 
members of the Thin Blue Line were awarded Deputy of the Month Awards 
by the HCSO for the months of May and June respectively. In true blue 
blood fashion, the deputies deflected credit of their heroic efforts to 
save the lives of two Houstonians, instead highlighting the assistance 
received from other first responders and ordinary citizens on site 
during both events.
   Mr. Speaker, the men and women who wear the badge are a cut above 
the rest. Our peace officers protect us from harm, and these events 
further demonstrate how lucky we are to have such men and women as 
Deputies Rebecca Cruz, Jesse Leal, Joe Leal, and Blake McElhaney 
looking out for us.
   And that is just the way it is.

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