[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 7 (Monday, January 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BRANDON BARNHILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, when Paducah Police Chief Brandon 
Barnhill announced last October that he would be retiring at the end of 
the year, we knew he would leave large shoes to fill. During his 20 
years with the department, including the last 5 it at the helm, Brandon 
helped develop a statewide reputation for excellence. Now, as Brandon 
retires to pursue new opportunities, I would like to take a moment to 
thank him for his service to the city of Paducah and the Commonwealth 
of Kentucky.
  Brandon graduated from Murray State University and earned a master's 
degree from Andrew Jackson University. It was at the Murray Police 
Department that Brandon began his noble vocation in law enforcement. He 
spent 3 years there before joining Paducah's police force in 1998.
  Every day, Brandon wore the badge with pride. Out of love for his 
community, he faced down danger with integrity and professionalism. Our 
Commonwealth is blessed with an abundance of brave men and women who 
put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow citizens, and 
Brandon fulfilled his duty with distinction.
  It didn't take long for his potential to be recognized in Paducah. 
Promoted to detective the year after joining the department, Brandon 
continued to earn the respect of his colleagues both in Paducah and 
throughout the State. When the previous police chief announced his 
retirement in 2013, Brandon became the best choice to lead his 
colleagues to preserve the peace.
  Brandon's leadership has helped place the Paducah Police Department 
among the most respected law enforcement organizations in Kentucky. One 
of his major initiatives was to strengthen the partnerships between the 
department and the local community. Brandon recently said he was 
particularly proud of the ``Chief's Community Forum,'' a way to receive 
feedback on the perception of policing in the city. Throughout his 
service, Brandon became an example of integrity and credibility in law 
enforcement, and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police named him 
the Chief of the Year in 2016.
  In recent years, I have had the privilege to work with Brandon to 
bring increased Federal law enforcement resources to Paducah in support 
of the work already being done there to combat the substance abuse 
epidemic. In 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation both committed to open new offices in Paducah 
and to dedicate assets to a partnership with State and local law 
enforcement. Brandon and the men and women of the Paducah Police 
Department were, of course, integral to this effort to keep our 
communities safe.
  At his retirement celebration, Brandon was greeted with an outpouring 
of support and gratitude from the community he had spent two decades 
serving. I would like to take this opportunity to add my voice to those 
congratulating him for his remarkable success in Paducah. With his wife 
Renee and their children, Natalie and Reese, I wish him all the best in 
his next adventure. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in thanking 
Chief Brandon Barnhill for his leadership at the Paducah Police 
Department.

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