[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 26, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY DAVID ``OZ'' OSBORNE

 Mr. PAUL. Madam President, when a popular sheriff's deputy 
from Daviess County, KY began what seemed to be a routine call in 1989, 
he had no reason to anticipate that his life would soon be hanging by a 
thread. He served a restraining order without incident and returned to 
his vehicle. But then, in the blink of an eye, he was shot multiple 
times, beaten severely, and was nearly run over by the assailant as he 
fled the scene.
  Deputy David ``Oz'' Osborne was left to die on a driveway along a 
country road, but Clarence and Mary Hulsey had made an unplanned--and 
for them, unusual--decision to go to town to get ice cream on that May 
evening. First spotting Osborne's hat, they quickly found him, summoned 
help, and remained with him until first responders could take over.
  This assault nearly ended Osborne's life 30 years ago, but although 
he was badly wounded and temporarily paralyzed, he recovered 
completely, returned to duty, raised his family, and was later elected 
Daviess County clerk.
  More impressive than this narrative is the fact that the convicted 
assailant later contacted Osborne from prison, seeking his forgiveness, 
and Osborne agreed. Citing his Christian faith as his motivation, he 
said that forgiveness ``did not happen overnight, but it did happen.''
  It is clear why the citizens of Daviess County have so much respect 
for Oz Osborne to this very day. His story reminds us of the risks that 
our law enforcement officers and first responders face in the line of 
duty, but it teaches all of us an indelible and rare lesson about 
forgiveness and mercy.

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