[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 133 (Friday, August 4, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E753-E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF THE LIEUTENANT MICHAEL WOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DUNCAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 2023

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of 
Lieutenant Michael Wood who served the Newberry, South Carolina 
community for over 20 years as an officer at the Newberry Police 
Department and passed away while in the line of duty on July 26, 2023. 
Lieutenant Wood, a resident of Prosperity, South Carolina, is survived 
by his wife, Jennifer, and two sons, Brandon and Alexander.
  In 2003, Lieutenant Wood began serving the Newberry Police Department 
as an officer. In 2006, his dedication and commitment earned him a 
promotion to Corporal and subsequently Sergeant and Lieutenant.
  While on duty on July 26, Lieutenant Wood responded to a call for 
service and was involved in a motor vehicle accident--succumbing to his 
injuries later. Newberry Police Chief Goodman praised Lieutenant Wood's 
service, work ethic, and creative community policing. For example, the 
``walk-and-talk'' program was created by Lieutenant Wood to allow law 
enforcement and citizens to build a relationship founded on trust. 
Together, police officers and community members would walk the streets 
of Newberry while talking about life, sports, family or anything--just 
no talking about work. It was not about explaining law enforcement 
efforts, but rather helping to show communities that law enforcement 
officers are human and have the same passions, struggles, joys and 
dreams as their community.
  Lieutenant Wood was a 1998 graduate of Newberry College where he also 
played football. Active in his community, he taught life lessons as 
both a baseball coach and Boy Scout leader, was a member of Wightman 
United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Directors for the 
Soil and Water Conservation District.
  Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to recognize the life and selfless service 
of Lieutenant Michael Wood. I know Jennifer, Brandon and Alexander will 
remember him as a great husband and father, but Newberry will remember 
him as a friend, protector and inspiration. As the Apostle John said in 
the 15th chapter and 13th verse, ``Greater love hath no man than

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this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Lieutenant Wood 
answered the call to be a police officer and answered the call again on 
July 26, 2023. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wood family, the 
Newberry Police Department and the entire community who mourns this 
tragic loss of life.

                          ____________________