[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 146 (Friday, August 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE OF BEAUMONT POLICE OFFICER SHEENA DAE YARBROUGH-
                                 POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 14, 2020

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to honor the life and legacy of Beaumont Police Officer Sheena Dae 
Yarbrough-Powell, who tragically perished in the line of duty on August 
9, 2020.
  Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell was born on November 22, 1996, in 
Nederland, Texas to Mark and Shelia Yarbrough. She was the fifth of six 
girls and remained very close to her family. Highlights of family time 
included: Sunday lunches, yearly vacations, sleepovers with sisters, 
competing with family and friends in board games, and, of course, 
``lots of Blue Bell Ice Cream.'' According to family and friends, 
Sheena never met a stranger, was a social butterfly, and would tire 
herself trying to make everyone feel included. Sheena graduated from 
Lumberton High School in 2015.
  Sheena's faith and family were her top priorities. She was a member 
of Calvary Baptist Church where she developed many life-long friends. 
Her love of Jesus was evident in how she lived her life and treated 
others. After becoming involved with Calvary's Renewal Bible study, she 
met the love of her life, Tyler Powell. From their first date in June 
of 2018, until her untimely death, Sheena and Tyler were inseparable. 
The two were married on October 4, 2019, in Beaumont, Texas. In their 
10 months of marriage, Sheena was a faithful and loving wife who 
provided Tyler with a lifetime of great memories.
  In 2018, after graduating from Lamar University with a bachelor's 
degree in Criminal Justice, Sheena entered the LIT Police Academy. She 
was hired by the Beaumont Police Department as a Cadet on August 13, 
2018 and was sworn in as a Beaumont Police Officer on December 20, 
2018. Her family, friends, and fellow officers lovingly referred to her 
as ``Officer Hopps.'' As an officer, Sheena was passionate about 
preventing sex crimes and helping victims of human trafficking. 
Becoming a police officer gave Sheena the ability to make a difference 
in her community and touch the lives of every individual she met.
  Officer Yarbrough-Powell is survived by her husband, Tyler; her 
parents, Mark and Shelia Yarbrough; her sisters, Jennifer Rae, Jessica 
Mae, Samantha Fae, Sarah Kae, and Madison Jae; her grandmother, Dorothy 
Yarbrough; and parents in-law, Rick and Deidre Powell, along with many 
friends and family whom she loved dearly.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Beaumont Police Officer Sheena 
Dae Yarbrough-Powell for her faithful service to her community. My 
thoughts and prayers remain with her family, friends, and her law 
enforcement family during this difficult time.

                          ____________________