[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN MINER

 Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I wish to honor and recognize a 
true hero from Phillipsburg, KS, Deputy Sheriff John Miner. On November 
4, 2020, Deputy Miner responded to an accident caused by a semi-truck 
colliding with multiple vehicles in Long Island, KS. What was already a 
scary situation on its own turned worse when fuel from the semi began 
leaking and ignited shortly after.
  A raging fire quickly started, and suddenly, bystanders realized two 
toddlers--a 4-year-old and 2-year-old--were stuck in one of the cars 
caught in the accident. Without a second thought, Deputy Miner 
performed his duty to protect and serve by leaping straight into the 
whipping fire to rescue those two children. With just a pocketknife, he 
was able to cut through the seatbelts trapping them and pulled them out 
miraculously unharmed. Deputy Miner, however, suffered second- and 
third-degree burns which required skin grafts. Thankfully, he has since 
recovered from his injuries.
  This valiant story caught the attention of many in Kansas and, now, 
around the Nation, as Deputy Miner has been awarded the Carnegie medal 
for an extraordinary act of heroism. This award is bestowed on a select 
few each year for showing true bravery and courage in the face of 
danger. Deputy Miner is absolutely deserving of this award after 
rescuing those two children last year from certain death.
  I want to thank this brave officer for being so courageous to dive 
headfirst into peril. As the son of a police chief, I know the risks 
our men and women in blue take on each day, and they are the most 
admirable citizens for continually working to ensure our safety. Deputy 
Miner has shown what true valor looks like, and Phillipsburg is safer 
because of him. I ask now that my colleagues show this same admiration 
and recognition for Deputy Miner and that he may stay safe protecting 
his community.

                          ____________________