[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING SERGEANT MARLENE R. RITTMANIC

  Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
remarkable life of Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic, a 21-year veteran of 
law enforcement who was fatally shot and passed away on December 30, 
2021, while serving in the line of duty. Sergeant Rittmanic started her 
remarkable career at the Iroquois County Sheriff's Police Department, 
serving 7 years before transferring to the Bradley Police Department in 
2007, for the last 14 years.
  Throughout her years of protecting and serving, Sergeant Rittmanic 
received the Officer of the Year Award for Kankakee County and 
countless letters of commendation for her service to the community. She 
will be remembered by her colleagues as a model officer and someone who 
looked forward to making memories with her fellow officers as the 
department's photographer, posting inspirational and team-building 
photographs of the officers and the community.
  Sergeant Rittmanic was not only a dedicated law enforcement officer, 
but also a devoted wife and citizen who was loved and respected in her 
community. Sergeant Rittmanic served in the U.S. Army and was a proud 
disabled veteran. Sergeant Rittmanic, a poet, also penned the prophetic 
poem, ``The Color We Bleed is That of Deep Blue,'' in 2001.
  Sergeant Rittmanic was tragically killed in the line of duty while 
fulfilling her oath to serve and protect the people of the Village of 
Bradley, IL, and I am grateful for her years of service. She leaves 
behind her wife, Lyn, and their 2 rescue dogs, Trigger and Abeline. May 
her service, sacrifice, and kind spirit serve as an inspiration to us 
all.

                          ____________________