[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 25 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING RITZIE TOLENTINO AS PUBLIC SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 8, 2019

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Corporal Ritzie Tolentino, whom I have named a Public Safety Hero of 
the Year in Solano County, California.
  Mr. Tolentino has dedicated himself to public service and our 
community since he graduated from the Napa Valley Police Academy in 
2002. After graduation, Mr. Tolentino worked for the St. Helena Police 
Department until 2006. In 2006, Mr. Tolentino made a lateral move to 
the Vallejo Police Department and in 2010 joined the Richmond Police 
Department. Mr. Tolentino returned to the Vallejo Police Department in 
2011 and has continued to serve our community since then. In November 
of 2018, Mr. Tolentino was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He has 
served as Patrol, Kaiser and SWAT, and is a Force Operations Instructor 
as well.
  On August 29, 2018, Mr. Tolentino showed his deep commitment to 
public safety when he helped a suicidal man and convinced him not to 
jump from an overpass and to instead receive mental health treatment. 
Mr. Tolentino talked with the distressed man and built the rapport 
necessary to make progress in this situation. When members of the 
Vallejo Police Department's Hostage Negotiation Team arrived, they saw 
Mr. Tolentino's connection with the man and progress in diffusing the 
situation. Mr. Tolentino talked and negotiated with the man for several 
hours until he agreed to climb back onto the overpass and get treatment 
from Solano County Mental Health Services. Mr. Tolentino's calm 
demeanor, patience and professionalism helped to save a life that day.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Corporal Ritzie Tolentino for his dedication. 
For this reason, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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