[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             GORDON BEESLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor 
Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley, who was killed in the line of 
duty on June 21, 2021.
  On June 21, 2021, Officer Beesley was responding to a report of 
suspicious activity in Olde Town Arvada, Colo. when he was ambushed and 
shot by a man who had immense hatred toward police.
  Officer Beesley joined the Arvada Police Department in 2002 and 
served in a number of roles for the Department. He spent most of the 
year working as a school resource officer at local schools in our 
community, including Oberon Middle School, Lincoln Academy and Excel 
Academy Charter School. During the summers, he often returned to patrol 
work.
  Officer Beesley was a well-known and well-liked member of our 
community. His calm, gentle and patient demeanor made a big difference 
in his day-to-day interactions with students, especially those students 
who needed it most. In 2015, he was named Employee of the Year by the 
City of Arvada after the city learned Officer Beesley was riding his 
bike to school multiple times a week with a student who suffered from 
developmental delays and was not able to ride by himself. Countless 
other stories have surfaced from students, his colleagues and community 
members in the days following his death about the impact he had on 
their lives, big and small.
  Officer Beesley is the first member of the Arvada Police Department 
to be killed by gunfire in the line of duty and the second police 
officer killed in the line of duty in Colorado in 2021.
  I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to Officer 
Beesley's family, the Arvada Police Department and the entire Arvada 
community for this tragic incident and the loss of Officer Beesley. We 
will remember Officer Gordon Beesley for his kindness and bravery, and 
are forever indebted to him and his family for his service and 
sacrifice for our community.

                          ____________________