[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 122 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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           RECOGNIZING THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, on July 2, 2021, a quick succession 
of events that lasted only 30 minutes shocked a Louisville neighborhood 
and showcased the extraordinary professionalism of the Louisville Metro 
Police Department. Together, with the support of MetroSafe Dispatch and 
information provided by a vigilant civilian, the stranger abduction of 
a 6-year-old girl was witnessed and reported, the suspect's vehicle was 
identified and stopped, and the victim was rescued--unharmed--and 
returned to her family.
  People around the Nation have now seen the emotional bodycam video of 
the moment when Officer Burba picked up this young girl and whisked her 
to safety. It is a scene that brings a tear to the eye of every loving 
parent. Stranger abduction is rare, thankfully, but it is even rarer 
that such quick action leads to a conclusion such as this.
  While one officer's actions were immortalized on film, today I want 
to recognize all of the members of LMPD's Third Division, First 
Platoon, Squad One. Each officer was willing to risk personal injury to 
rescue this child and capture the suspect. They include Sergeant Joe 
Keeling, Officers Stephen Barone, Jason Burns, Travis Elder, Charles 
Ennis, Aaron Flannery, Malliccaaii Green, Nicholas Green, Clint Greene, 
Jake Harris, Mark Manning, Aimee Mills, Michael Rach, Bradley Russell, 
Tom Stettenbenz and Lucero Aguilera Vasquez.
  Key members of MetroSafe Dispatch who handled the response were 
Dispatchers Emily David and Hannah Hurley, and Jim Intermaggio, who 
took the inbound call.
  Finally, although several citizens made 911 calls regarding the 
incident, Prentiss Weathrford, who witnessed the abduction, pursued the 
vehicle and took down critical license plate information.
  This LMPD squad, a capable dispatch team, and an alert citizen worked 
in concert to redeem what could have been a most tragic scenario. I am 
grateful to them, and the community is grateful. And I believe that the 
family of this 6-year-old girl would agree that all those who responded 
are deserving of this special distinction.

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