[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 184 (Sunday, October 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6466-S6467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



              Honoring Detective Lieutenant Kevin Collins

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, it is such an honor and such a pleasure 
to be with my fellow Senator from Arkansas, Mr. Cotton, as we rise to 
honor Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins, who died while in the line of 
duty, on Monday, October 5, as a result of injuries he sustained.
  Detective Collins was a passionate person about law enforcement and 
serving the citizens of Pine Bluff. He served his community not only as 
an officer of the law but also as a mentor and a leader.
  It was reported that he had wanted to be a police officer since he 
had been 3 years old. In an interview with the Pine Bluff Commercial in 
2018, he said: ``Ever since I was little, I saw law enforcement as a 
service and something I could be proud of.'' He worked his entire life 
to achieve that dream, and it came true 5 years ago when he was hired 
by the Pine Bluff Police Department on June 8, 2015.
  He was first assigned to the patrol division, and he worked his way 
up to the violent crimes unit. Detective Collins loved being a police 
officer, and he enjoyed building relationships with the men and women 
he worked alongside as well as with the citizens whom he served.
  His colleagues appreciated his enthusiasm, his hard work, and 
dedication, which he demonstrated each and every day both in and out of 
uniform.
  Detective Collins was passionate about making a difference in the 
lives of others. As a mentor to at-risk boys during the department's 2-
week Youth Empowerment Camp, he was a role model for teens--encouraging 
good behavior and reinforcing the importance of making good decisions.
  In his short time with the Pine Bluff Police Department, he had a 
long list of successes that include taking a large number of guns off 
the streets and earning the department's Officer of the Year for 2017 
for his actions in saving a 95-year-old resident while responding to an 
apartment fire.
  Detective Collins lived a faithful life devoted to Christ as a member 
of New Life Church Pine Bluff.
  Pastor Matt Mosler says Detective Collins had a great heart for 
service. He took that heart for service and put his faith into action, 
taking the initiative to make his community better.
  We rely on law enforcement officers like Detective Collins to keep 
communities safe, to keep us safe. His death is a tragic reminder of 
the risk law enforcement officers face each day when they put on their 
uniform and leave the comforts of their homes and their loved ones to 
serve and to protect.
  Detective Collins was a true hero. Our hearts break for his family, 
his colleagues at the Pine Bluff Police Department, and community 
members. I pray they will find comfort from the outpouring of support 
for this beloved brother in blue.
  Senator Cotton, I yield to you.
  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, the men and women of law enforcement in 
Arkansas could have no greater champion in the U.S. Senate than John 
Boozman. It is always an honor to join him on the floor, but today is a 
sad and solemn honor to be here to commemorate the life of Detective 
Kevin Collins.
  Detective Collins of Pine Bluff had known since he was the young age 
of 3 that he wanted to be a police officer. His step-dad worked for the 
Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. His mom was a teacher. So from 
an early age, the role models in Kevin's life inspired him to serve 
others, and serve he did, above and beyond the call of duty.
  For a time he worked as an emergency services dispatcher. Then he 
worked for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Five years ago, he 
realized his childhood dream by joining his hometown police department 
to serve the community he knew and loved.
  Detective Collins was part of the violent crimes unit, which means he 
worked on some of Arkansas' most dangerous cases. He had a special 
passion for taking illegal guns off the streets and mentoring young 
people in the community.
  His hard work was noticed and rewarded. Just 2 years after joining 
the force, Detective Collins was named Officer of the Year after 
rushing into a burning apartment building and rescuing a 95-year-old 
woman trapped inside.
  When he received that award, Detective Collins reflected on his 
lifelong dream of becoming a police officer, which he described as a 
``service'' and something ``I could be proud of.''
  You could say that Kevin Collins was destined to be a police officer. 
Tragically, he was also destined to die as one, much too soon.
  Earlier this month, Detective Collins was tracking a suspected 
murderer who was holed up in a hotel. A gun battle broke out. Detective 
Collins and his fellow officer, Lieutenant Ralph Isaac, were hit during 
this exchange and rushed to the hospital. Lieutenant Isaac has begun to 
recover, but, sadly, Detective Collins did not. He went home to be with 
the Lord at the age of 35, leaving his family, his community, and our 
State heartbroken over the loss.
  Detective Collins' death is a tragedy and a stark warning and 
reminder of the dangers police officers face every day.
  Detective Collins joins 231 of his fellow officers who have died in 
the line of duty in America just this year, but it would be a mistake 
only to mark Detective Collins' death. We ought also to learn from his 
example in life.
  Kevin Collins was a guardian of Pine Bluff, whether in his capacity 
as an officer or off duty as a security guard at his local church.

[[Page S6467]]

  When he received the Officer of the Year Award in 2017, Detective 
Collins said that being a police officer was about extending a ``life 
line to save others.'' We will never know how many lives Kevin Collins 
saved, but we do know that his hometown is now safer and more peaceful 
because of his years of service.
  Pine Bluff was blessed to have a guardian the likes of Kevin Collins. 
Now his watch on Earth is over. He is looking down on us from above. 
May he rest in peace.