[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 131 (Friday, July 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E681-E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF HUMMELSTOWN CHIEF OF POLICE WILLIAM RYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 2020

  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm truly honored to congratulate Chief 
William Ryan upon his retirement on July 31, 2020, from a distinguished 
career in law enforcement. Chief Ryan has dedicated nearly 35 years to 
Southeast PA and the Hummelstown Borough Police Department (HBPD), and 
I'm proud to recognize his exceptional career here today.
  Bill Ryan became a Hummelstown Police Officer in 1992, after five 
years with the George Mason University Police Department. Early in his 
career, he developed the ``Witch Watch'' program that organized high 
school volunteers to patrol for safety issues during Halloween, and 
keep trick-or-treaters safe. In 1994, he formed the Hummelstown 
Neighborhood Crime Watch Group, encouraging community volunteers to 
patrol the Borough on weekends. By 1995, he was promoted to Corporal, 
and approached the then-chief with the idea of teaching DARE in the 
Lower Dauphin School District. He continued to organize events, like 
the National Night Out for Hummelstown, and the infamous ``Turkey 
Bowl''--first a football game, and later a bowling tournament between 
law enforcement and local schoolteachers to support the local food 
bank.
  In 1996, Bill was promoted to Sergeant, and subsequently Detective, 
serving as the HBPD criminal investigator. Just a year later, he began 
teaching DARE at the Lower Dauphin Middle School, which continued for 
17 years, forming lasting connections with students and teachers 
alike--many of whom still refer to him as ``Sergeant Ryan'' and hold 
dear their memories of him from those classes.
  In 1997, Bill joined the Capital Region Forensic Unit, responsible 
for the collection of evidence in serious, high profile crimes. That 
same year, he completed the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency 
Crime Prevention Course, and joined the County child abuse 
multidisciplinary team. In 1998, he appeared in a DUI training/public 
service announcement, which was shown Nationwide.
  In 1999, Bill was named PA Police Officer of the Year by the American 
Legion, and was named Officer of the Year for the Northeast Region--and 
the National runner-up, He also began teaching at the Harrisburg Area 
Community College Police Academy, and in 2001, joined the Dauphin 
County Child Abduction Response Team.
  By 2008, Bill was honored with a Career Service Award from the 
Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association. He continued to teach the 
DARE program, and taught his final class in 2013. In 2014, he was 
awarded the PA VFW John Radko Gold Medal. Finally, in 2016, he earned 
his highest rank, and was named Acting Chief of Hummelstown Police 
Department.
  Bill was known for ending his e-mails with, ``Be safe, stay sharp, 
and make good decisions,'' and every phone call with, ``Peace''--
something we pray for everyday for those who stand on the Thin Blue 
Line.
  Madam Speaker, Chief William Ryan has served with distinction the 
Borough of

[[Page E682]]

Hummelstown, the HBPD, and our surrounding communities. He is a great 
credit to the Commonwealth and the Nation, and his legacy of servant-
leadership and law enforcement excellence sets the standard for all to 
follow.

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