[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7266-S7267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING CASSIE JOHNSON

  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of one of West Virginia's finest.
  Patrolwoman Cassie Johnson of the Charleston Police Department 
represented the very best of who we are as a statewide community. She 
was taken from us far too soon, on December 3, 2020, at the age of 28.
  Cassie was the daughter of an ironworker. She shared her mother's 
steely resolve and iron constitution.
  Being a police officer in the city she loved and grew up in was a 
dream come true for Cassie. She was sworn in by Mayor Amy Goodwin in 
January 2019 and had previously worked as a city humane officer.
  Cassie was born and raised in our State's capital. She could have 
gone anywhere, and she chose to stay and protect and serve the 
community that made her who she was.
  She was truly a beautiful person in every way.

[[Page S7267]]

  Growing up, Cassie was an athlete and particularly loved softball. 
She would one day find that the Little League field she played on as a 
child was on her beat. So she watched over it with great care so the 
current generation of children could play in safety.
  One of the first things she did when she was assigned to the field 
was to clean up the drug paraphernalia to make the field a safe place 
for kids. Because of her efforts, children and their families have been 
able to enjoy the field as a clean, safe, fun place to play.
  Cassie was an animal lover and dedicated her life to rescuing pets 
who had been cast aside, even taking an animal behavior class in 
Tennessee so she could better understand the language of dogs.
  Cassie's beloved dog Emma was a chocolate lab who passed away a few 
months ago. Cassie grieved deeply for Emma because she had a special 
connection with her.
  Years ago, when Cassie was in high school, Emma had nine chocolate 
lab pups in Cassie's bedroom. Her mom tells the story of taking the 
runt of the litter with her to pick up Cassie at school. When they got 
home, there were chocolate lab pups running everywhere. This was just 
one of the many adventures Cassie had with Emma. No doubt, they are 
reunited again.
  Cassie was a music lover, most likely because her mother sang her to 
sleep as a child. She was surrounded by instruments and music 
throughout her life. She loved to make the world beautiful, and that is 
also why she enjoyed decorating for the holidays.
  The weekend before she passed, she decorated her mother's house for 
Christmas, alongside her dear sister Chelsea. One of the last actions 
she took the day of her passing was to wipe the snow from those holiday 
decorations because she always looked out for her mother any way that 
she could.
  Most importantly, Cassie was a genuinely good person, and she lived 
her whole life with West Virginia values. She worked hard and bought 
her own home at the age of 25. She was beloved in the community and in 
her profession, as evidenced in the tremendous outpouring of grief. The 
support and fellowship that followed her tragic passing has been 
unbelievable.
  Her mother describes her as respectful and well-mannered throughout 
her whole life.
  Cassie will be deeply be missed, not only because of who she was but 
because we are all so keenly aware of and sorrowful for what might have 
been.
  No one can take away what Cassie represented to the Charleston 
community and the entire Mountain State. Every one of our female 
leaders in West Virginia is an epitome of strength and advancement in 
their fields and serve as inspiring role models for the next 
generation. That is due in great part to the women who broke ground in 
generations past. Because of their accomplishments, young women like 
Cassie have and will blaze their own trails and continue to make our 
State and entire Nation proud.
  I have such tremendous respect for our police officers and all of our 
first responders. Cassie's compassion, courage, and selflessness will 
live on through the memories of those who knew and loved her, as well 
as through the countless lives she touched and inspired every day.
  She leaves us having made a profound impact in the community that she 
loved, as well as in the lives of those around her.
  I had the tremendous and humbling honor of visiting with Cassie's 
family at her bedside in her final hours. It is clear to me that Cassie 
came from strong roots and that her life was filled with joy and love. 
She was a beloved daughter and sister and a loyal friend, who adored 
her three dogs and all animals.
  Cassie was an organ donor. Her final act of selflessness has given 
someone else a chance.
  The Charleston Police Department has retired Cassie's unit number, 
146.
  I know I join the entire Mountain State in mourning our shared loss 
of this bright, generous, and vibrant spirit.
  Gayle and I extend our deepest condolences to Cassie's mother Sheryl, 
sister Chelsea, brother Terry, and all of her family and friends, her 
colleagues with the Charleston Police Department, as well as the city 
of Charleston, and will forever keep them in our prayers.
  May God watch over Cassie.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Murkowski). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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