[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DEPUTY GABE VITT

 Mr. MARSHALL. Madam President, I rise today to honor a true 
hero from Labette County, KS, Deputy Gabe Vitt. His quick thinking and 
expertise helped save the life of a woman in a situation only seen in 
movies.
  Deputy Vitt was on patrol in Parsons, when he heard over his radio 
that a woman had been hit by a train. EMS was preparing to respond to 
the situation like they normally would, but the person calling about 
the accident disconnected before they could say where the woman was 
hit. By great luck and coincidence, Deputy Vitt was only a few blocks 
from the tracks.
  Realizing that emergency medical services wouldn't be there in time, 
he rushed to the scene to find a woman with a severed leg. Making use 
of his EMT training from school at Labette Community College, Vitt was 
able to apply a tourniquet which stabilized the woman's leg steady, 
ultimately saving her life. After the incident, Deputy Vitt credited 
that training heavily, describing his heroics as a natural reaction to 
the situation. Had he not been nearby or received his EMT training, 
that woman may very well not be here today.
  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. I admire these unique 
citizens for continually working to ensure our safety. Deputy Vitt has 
shown what true valor looks like, and Labette County is safer because 
of him. I ask now that my colleagues show this same admiration and 
recognition for Deputy Vitt and that he may stay safe protecting his 
community.

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