[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE HEROISM OF LIEUTENANT ERIC VARNER AND DETECTIVE EUGENE 
                               WATLINGTON

  (Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroism of two 
police officers in Forrest City, Arkansas, Lieutenant Eric Varner and 
Detective Eugene Watlington, who stopped a potential mass shooting in 
progress on February 10.
  On that fateful morning, a gunman entered a Wal-Mart in Forrest City 
and began threatening customers. Officers Varner and Watlington 
responded within minutes, despite not wearing body armor, as 
plainclothes officers. When they confronted the suspect and tried to 
peacefully deescalate the situation, the gunman opened fire. Both 
officers were struck, but they were able to return fire and kill the 
shooter.
  Both officers were seriously injured, and I ask that my colleagues 
join me in praying for a speedy and full recovery.
  Lieutenant Varner and Detective Watlington saved many lives that day 
without regard for their own safety, and I invite Congress to join me 
in honoring them.

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