[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 127 (Monday, July 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS, OFFICER JACOB 
                 CHESTNUT AND DETECTIVE JOHN M. GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRYAN STEIL

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2023

  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor 2 Capitol Police officers, 
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, Jr., and Detective John M. Gibson, who were 
shot and killed by a gunman in the Capitol on July 24, 1998.
  In the afternoon of July 24, 1998, a lone gunman forced his way past 
a security checkpoint, fatally shooting Officer Chestnut. The assailant 
ran toward an entrance that led to the offices of Tom DeLay of Texas, 
the Majority Whip. Detective Gibson, a member of DeLay's protective 
team, told others to hide and find cover. The gunman shot Gibson, and 
although mortally wounded, Gibson returned fire, striking the gunman. 
Detective Gibson's selfless acts resulted in lives saved and provided 
an opportunity for responding officers to restrain the gunman and end 
the horrific events that day.
  Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut, Jr., was a 20-year Air Force veteran, 
having served 2 tours in Vietnam, and retired as a Master Sergeant. He 
has the distinction of being the first African American to lie in honor 
at the Capitol. He was 58 years old.
  Detective John Michael Gibson had been selected as part of the 
dignitary protection team for Congressman Tom DeLay and had served with 
the United States Capitol Police for 18 years. He left behind his wife, 
a 17-year-old daughter, and 2 sons, 14 and 15 years old. He laid in 
honor with Officer Chestnut in the Capitol rotunda.
  Both men were buried with full honors in Arlington National Cemetery. 
These men gave their lives in defense of the democracy that serves all 
of us while defending the lives of congressmen and -women, 
congressional staffers, and other United States Capitol Police 
officers.
  In the days that followed, Representative DeLay stated that the death 
of these officers symbolized, ``the sacrifices of thousands of police 
officers across the Nation who do their duty to serve and protect the 
public, sometimes under great abuse, sometimes under great disregard, 
and many times people take them for granted. It all comes together when 
an incident like this happens and we realize how much we owe to police 
officers all over this country.''
  I'll say that the women and men who comprise the United States 
Capitol Police Department continue to be a very important component in 
safeguarding the form of government that allows us daily and routine 
freedoms.
  Today we remember Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson 
while thanking all who are a part of the United States Capitol Police 
Department.

                          ____________________