[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 23, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO OFFICER JUNIOR PAULEUS

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, when a police officer is shot in the line of 
duty and survives, every fellow officer breathes a sigh of relief and 
offers a silent prayer of thanks because they know that such a risk 
exists each time they put on their uniform and begin another day on the 
job.
  Today, I want to recognize a member of the Lexington Police 
Department, Officer Junior Pauleus, who was shot in the back at close 
range on February 5, 2022, as he was conducting a routine investigation 
with other members of the Lexington police force.
  Officer Pauleus, only 28 years old, has an interesting and compelling 
life story. He is a proud American, but not by birth. Originally from 
Haiti, Officer Pauleus met his future wife, Audrey, while she was on a 
mission trip. He eventually immigrated to the U.S. and became a 
citizen. Now, settled and thriving with his young family in Kentucky, 
he very recently joined the Lexington Police Department and was still 
on field training officer status on that fateful Saturday in February 
when he said his normal goodbyes to his wife and three children--
including his 5-day-old son--and started another shift.
  Thankfully, this is a story with a happy ending, and we are grateful 
for many things: for the fact that he and the officers with whom he was 
working with are all safe following the shooting; for the discipline 
and training on which they all rely; for the body armor that protected 
him; and for all the men and women of his department who willingly 
serve the Lexington community, even with the knowledge that, in an 
instant, their own lives can be taken.
  I am privileged to meet young men and women like Officer Pauleus each 
time I travel to events throughout Kentucky. I am personally indebted 
to them for their service, and I am honored to recognize one example 
from among their ranks today.

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