[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING CLARKDALE POLICE OFFICER CARLOS GODINA

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                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 2020

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the valor of 
Clarkdale, Arizona Police Officer Carlos Godina on February 27, 2020. 
Officer Godina's selfless action in the midst of a confusing and 
dangerous scene relieved a family in deep distress.
  Responding to assist a medical call, Officer Godina found an active 
crime scene as a suspect had attacked a grandmother and her grandchild 
with a blunt object. In fact, shortly after arriving, the suspect 
charged Officer Godina with the same object, forcing Godina to use 
nonlethal force to push the suspect inside and away from the woman.
  It was this time that Officer Godina learned that the injured child 
was also inside the home, and without hesitation, he rushed into the 
house, again confronted by the suspect who was now also wielding a 
butcher knife. Determining that the child was in a critical state, 
Godina called upon the suspect to subdue so the child could be cared 
for. Instead, the suspect charged with both weapons, requiring Godina 
to use lethal force.
  Officer Godina's composure saved the grandmother's life and preserved 
the suspect's life as long as possible. While I am heartbroken to 
announce that the child succumbed to his injuries, Godina's selfless 
action allowed medical attention to provide enough time for the mother 
to spend the last minutes of their child's life with them.
  Madam Speaker, I am here to recognize Officer Godina's bravery and 
professionalism in this active and dangerous situation. Officer Godina 
displayed the best qualities of our country's police officers, and at a 
time when police across the nation are wrongly looked down on, Officer 
Godina reminds us of our officers' service to the nation and the 
constant safety we take for granted on the backs of their sacrifice.

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