[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING OFFICER JACOB J. CHESTNUT AND DETECTIVE JOHN M. GIBSON

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I rise to honor the 25th anniversary of 
the tragic passing of two fallen Capitol Police officers, Officer Jacob 
J. Chestnut, Jr., and Detective John M. Gibson, who were killed while 
bravely defending the Capitol on July 24, 1998.
  In the afternoon of July 24, 1998, a lone gunman forced his way past 
a security checkpoint, fatally shot Officer Chestnut, and ran toward 
the offices of Majority Whip Tom DeLay. Detective Gibson, a member of 
Representative DeLay's protective team, told others to hide and find 
cover while he stood in defense until he was mortally wounded himself. 
Office Chestnut and Detective Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice to 
protect the lives of others in the Capitol that day.
  Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut, Jr., was a 20-year Air Force veteran, 
having served two 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.
  Detective John Michael Gibson had served with the U.S. Capitol Police 
for 18 years. He left behind his wife, a 17-year-old daughter, and two 
sons, 14 and 15 years old. He lay 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 here on the grounds of the Capitol, in 
defense of our democracy. In the days that followed, Representative 
DeLay stated that their deaths 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.''
  The men and women of the Capitol Police put their lives on the line 
every day, and each and every one of us who works here are indebted to 
their sacrifice. Today we remember Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective 
John Gibson while thanking all of the officers of the U.S. Capitol 
Police Department.

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