[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 123 (Wednesday, July 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4876-S4877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Honoring Officer Kevin Dale Apple

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, it is an honor to be with my friend and 
colleague Senator Cotton as we rise to honor Pea Ridge Police Officer 
Kevin Apple, who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, June 26.
  He made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to apprehend two 
suspects who were fleeing from police. Although this was the last 
example of his selfless service and dedication to protecting his 
community, it was certainly not the only one.
  Officer Apple bravely devoted his life to law enforcement and the 
good that it can bring about. He worked tirelessly to uphold law and 
order over the course of 23 years, serving several northwest Arkansas 
communities, including Pea Ridge for the last 3 years. He was known to 
consistently support others. The compassion he exhibited in and out of 
uniform will be fondly remembered by those he helped.
  ``He gave me hope again,'' one citizen remarked of Officer Apple.
  Another individual commented that, as a result of Officer Apple, he 
changed his life. Now, more than 20 years later, he maintains a deep 
appreciation of the support he received from Officer Apple.
  He did much more than serve and protect. The Pea Ridge police chief 
said that Officer Apple put humanity in the job. For a police officer, 
there is no higher compliment than that.
  He was also known as a prankster. He was usually upbeat and lifted 
the spirits of those around him with a smile that would light up a 
room.
  Friends, neighbors, and colleagues describe him as someone who cared 
passionately about his role in supporting public safety and was more 
concerned about lending a helping hand rather than writing tickets. He 
was a loyal friend and leader who always put the needs of others above 
his own.
  Officer Apple leaves a legacy of lasting impact on all of those whose 
lives he touched in his own unique way. Whether attending a child's 
birthday party or checking on an elderly citizen, he went above and 
beyond the call of duty and constantly showed his dedication to the 
people he was sworn to protect.
  My hope is the community's support will provide comfort to his 
family, his friends, and brothers and sisters in blue. We can be very 
proud of how northwest Arkansas has already bonded together to give 
back to the Pea Ridge Police Department and this fallen law enforcement 
officer's loved ones.
  Officer Apple was the embodiment of what it means to wear a police 
badge and uniform. His exemplary service and dedication to serving his 
community are truly inspirational, and he leaves behind a worthy 
example for other officers to imitate.
  We all mourn the loss of Officer Apple and are deeply saddened by 
this tragedy. I join with Arkansans in expressing our gratitude for his 
service and sacrifice. I am honored to recognize his life with Senator 
Cotton today and pray that his family and his colleagues and community 
members know that he will forever be remembered as a hero.
  With that, I yield to Senator Cotton
  Mr. COTTON. I thank Senator Boozman.
  Mr. President, Police Officer Kevin Dale Apple of the Pea Ridge 
Police Department protected the community he loved for 23 years, but 
Officer Apple's long and honorable career in law enforcement was cut 
tragically short just a couple of weeks ago.
  It all began with a call to ``be on the lookout'' for a blue Jeep 
that was fleeing from police in Rogers. Officer Apple and a fellow 
officer spotted the vehicle at a convenience store, and they sprang 
into action, approaching the car to speak to its occupants. When they 
did, the driver of the Jeep rammed one of their police cars and then 
struck Officer Apple, dragging him to his death. He succumbed to his 
injuries at the age of 53.
  Officer Apple's death is a tragedy and a crime, but it is also a 
reminder; it is a reminder of the grave danger that police officers 
face across the country every day when they put on the bulletproof vest 
and leave home, not knowing whether they will go home that night to 
take it off. This year alone, in being barely halfway through the year, 
162 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty across our 
country.
  Officer Apple's death is also a reminder that, every time an officer 
approaches a suspect, he or she may be exposed to hidden threats, which 
may be a concealed weapon or, in this case, a vehicle that has been 
transformed into an instrument of death. All of the comfortable critics 
of the police who love to second-guess their every move, while officers 
are under incredible stress and danger in the heat of the moment, can 
stand to learn that sobering fact.
  Officer Apple's death is also a warning of the tragic consequences of 
ill-

[[Page S4877]]

conceived, soft-on-crime policies. The woman who killed Officer Apple, 
Shawna Cash, was known by police long before that fateful day. She was 
facing multiple counts of theft and other drug-related offenses, but 
she was reportedly released from jail due to the coronavirus.
  When criminals get let out of jail and are put back on our streets, 
tragedy tends to follow. A brave officer would still be alive today if 
his killer had remained behind bars. The trade-off here should be 
obvious. This criminal, with a rap sheet longer than your arm, should 
have remained in jail, and Officer Apple should have gone home to his 
friends and his family. For every future Shawna Cash who gets let out 
of jail early because of the coronavirus or soft-on-crime policies or 
other foolish and naive reasons, just remember: There could be another 
Officer Apple or another murder victim or rape victim.
  Like every victim of the terrible murder wave sweeping our Nation, 
Officer Apple's life mattered. He leaves behind loved ones like Dalene, 
his mother, and Kyle, his brother. He leaves behind fellow officers and 
comrades who remember his jokes and his goofy sense of humor. He leaves 
behind a legacy of 23 years of honorable, courageous service to his 
fellow Arkansans.
  Officer Apple will not be forgotten, and we must never forget the 
lawmen who lay down their lives to keep the rest of us safe. We will 
respect Officer Apple's memory just as we respect every law enforcement 
officer who wears the badge with honor.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote 
previously scheduled at 11:30 a.m. start now.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.