[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Honoring Officer Ryan Hayworth

  Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, this weekend, thousands of law enforcement 
officers and their families came to our Nation's Capital to celebrate 
Police Weekend. And while Americans were paying tribute to our men and 
women in blue here in DC, North Carolina, once again, received the 
tragic news of a brave officer lost in the line of duty.
  Officer Ryan Hayworth was only 23 years old. He had a bright and 
promising future ahead of him. He tragically lost his life on Sunday 
night, just 3 months after joining the Knightdale Police Department.
  He and his training officer were investigating a single-vehicle 
incident on Interstate 540 when a drunk driver crashed into their 
parked SUV, taking Officer Hayworth's life.
  Cody Hagler--his training officer--was seriously injured and remains 
hospitalized; but, thankfully, he is expected to recover.
  This senseless tragedy is another reminder of the constant dangers 
our brave men and women in law enforcement face every single day. A 
routine call to respond to an accident resulted in a young officer 
losing his life in the line of duty.
  Although he was only 23 years old, Officer Hayworth already had a 
distinguished record of service. He served in the U.S. Army, and then 
in the National Guard. And then he answered the call once again by 
becoming a police officer.
  It is not surprising to anyone who knows the Hayworth family, though. 
Officer Hayworth's father was a longtime chief of the Zebulon Police 
Department, and his brother is a firefighter.
  A member of his family church told a local news outlet:

       He wanted to be a police officer like his dad. They're 
     good, God-fearing people. They care about the community and 
     it's sad something this tragic happened the way it did.

  Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps has noted the high standards 
Officer Hayworth met and exceeded as a new member of the force.
  Police Chief Capps said:

       When we hire police officers, we are looking for 
     individuals that embody the best of this profession--all that 
     is good, all that is wholesome, all that is pure, all that is 
     righteous, and Ryan embodied those things.

  It is no surprise to see the outpouring of support to honor Officer 
Hayworth. People from across the State have stopped by the Knightdale 
Police Department to place flowers at a memorial created by his 
colleagues. Other local police departments are now assisting the 
Knightdale Police Department in their patrols during this difficult 
time.
  I am grateful that the vast majority of North Carolinians truly 
appreciate the service and the sacrifice of law enforcement. They 
recognize the men and women serving are good people who put their 
uniforms on every day and take extraordinary risks to protect others.
  Officer Hayworth is an officer who took those risks to protect 
others, and he made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. I know the 
community of Knightdale will never forget his service and sacrifice. 
And I know that all North Carolinians join me in keeping Officer 
Hayworth's loving family and his many friends and colleagues in our 
prayers.
  May God bless Officer Ryan Hayworth and all of our Nation's brave law 
enforcement officers.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.