[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 83 (Friday, May 17, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON BACON

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2019

  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor May 15, 2019 as Peace 
Officer Memorial Day and May 13 through the 19, 2019 as Police Week. I 
stand in support of those who put their lives on the line, day in and 
day out, for the protection of those within the State of Nebraska and 
all over the United States. My district is home to two sheriff offices, 
a large urban police force, numerous community police departments, the 
Nebraska State Patrol, and a hand full of federal agencies. They have 
unique differences in their responsibilities yet they are strikingly 
similar in how they function. The different shapes of the badges they 
wear on their chests proudly proclaims their distinct alliance to their 
home agency, but it is also a symbol that binds them all together into 
one brotherhood.
  These gallant law enforcement professionals are driven to serve the 
public of their jurisdictions. To protect the life, limb, and property 
in their assigned patrol areas during their long hours for which they 
have this solemn duty. To those on the front line of our safety; it is 
not about the pay, the hours, or the conditions they work in. What is 
of importance to them is the satisfaction of making the world a better 
and safer place. They are the thin blue line that stands between us and 
some of the darkest parts of our society.
  When one of these brave individuals put on their uniform and departs 
their home for the streets, they are not worried for their own safety. 
They know their fellow officer have their back when needed. At great 
personal sacrifice, they are pained by missing the baseball games or 
recitals of beloved children; the birthdays and holidays they worked 
instead of being home with their families.
  I, like so many other members of the military, have a very personal 
connection and appreciation for those who choose this profession. I 
spent nearly thirty years in the military and much of that time was 
deployed with combat forces protecting our freedoms overseas: The men 
and women in military uniform depend on those back home in the blue 
uniform.
  Like so many others in the military, when I was overseas, I left my 
wife and children here in the U.S. As a former commander, I can tell 
you that the fastest way to negatively affect a soldier, sailor, 
airman, or marine within a combat situation was to have them worry 
about their family back home. Our great police officers, allow the 
military to be a success. I am in awe with the dedication that each 
officer displays daily. When our military is reunited with their family 
after a deployment, they can relax knowing their fellow public servants 
provide a shield of protection. This is a profession that takes a 
different type of individual, someone who is consistently putting their 
lives on the line, someone that I have always looked up to, a group of 
individuals that I cannot thank enough for the blanket of security that 
they provide.
  There are members of the law enforcement community who serve, retire, 
and move on in their lives. Eventually they go home and lay down their 
badge in retirement, but they will no longer miss these family events. 
These professionals have the gratitude of the constituents of my 
district and I want to thank them for their dedication to protect and 
serve. I would like to honor some of these courageous people who have 
long distinguished careers or who recently retired. They are:
  Deputy Sheriff David J. Wintle, of the Douglas County Sheriff's 
Office, for over 29 years of service (deceased). This included 13 years 
as a K-9 handler.
  Deputy Sheriff Clarence Cooper, of the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, 
for 22 years of service (deceased). He also served 20 years in the U.S. 
Air Force.
  Officer Paul Briese Sr., of the Eppley Airfield Police Department, 
for 11 years of service (deceased). He also served 28 years with the 
Omaha Police Department and 4 years as the Sheriff of Boone County, NE.
  Officer Robert Wondra, of the Omaha Police Department, for over 25 
years of service (retired). This included 22 years as a member of their 
SWAT team. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  Chief Les Johnson, of the Bennington Police Department, for 26 years 
of service (deceased).
  Detective Matthew Elsasser, of the Papillion Police Department, for 
13 years. He is the Papillion Police Department's 2018 Officer of the 
Year.
  I want to thank these officers and all others for their service and 
sacrifice.

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