[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SACRIFICE OF DEPUTY ELTON C. STOVER

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                           HON. BILL HUIZENGA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2024

  Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and 
sacrifice of Berrien County Sheriff Deputy Elton C. Stover. Deputy 
Stover was born November 21, 1910, in Berrien County and pursued a 
career in law enforcement, serving in the Berrien Springs Police 
Department, Comstock Police Department, and served as the Constable of 
Lincoln Township.
  On December 3, 1965, armed gunmen targeted the Farmers & Merchants 
National Bank in Benton Township. Berrien County Sheriff Deputies Elton 
Stover and Gary Mitchell responded to the call for help. Upon arrival 
to the scene, Deputies Stover and Mitchell were immediately met with an 
array of gunfire with both men being struck.
  As Deputy Stover laid on the bank floor he was hit with two bullets, 
smashing through his chest and right leg. He and Deputy Mitchell were 
rushed to Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor, where he underwent what was 
thought to be a successful surgery. Unfortunately, Deputy Stover's 
condition deteriorated, and he passed away during surgery at 2.55 p.m. 
on December 10, 1965, making the ultimate sacrifice in service to the 
people of Berrien County. To this day, Deputy Elton C. Stover remains 
the only Deputy in the history of the Benton County Sheriff's 
Department to be killed in the line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, each day, law enforcement officials like Deputy Stover 
help to keep our communities safe, rush into dangerous situations, and 
lay down their lives to protect their fellow citizens. It is my solemn 
honor to remember Deputy Elton Stover and all fallen law enforcement 
officers from Michigan's 4th Congressional District, the state, and 
throughout the country.

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