[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CHRIS HARTLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 27, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief 
Chris Hartley, in recognition of his more than twenty-seven years of 
extraordinary service for our Napa Valley and California law 
enforcement communities.
  Chris Hartley was born in October 1960 and grew up in the Napa 
Valley. He graduated from Napa High School in 1979. He then served in 
the United States Marine Corps as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle 
Crewman, Infantryman, and Reconnaissance Marine. He rose to the rank of 
Gunnery Sergeant and served for over 20 years. During his time in the 
Marine Corps, Chief Hartley served during the Beirut Bombing and 
Grenada, and he participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation 
Desert Storm. While in the military, Chief Hartley attended the USMC 
Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and completed courses in 
Marine Corps Warfighting, Firearms Instructor, Rappel Master, Small 
Boat Operations Instructor, and Parachute Jump School. Chief Hartley 
left the Marine Corps in 1999 and subsequently attended Mira Costa and 
Palomar Junior Colleges and then went on to study at Colorado State 
University and the University of Virginia. Chief Hartley is also a 
graduate of Class 263 of the prestigious Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) National Academy.
  After serving his country in the United States Marine Corps, Chief 
Hartley came back to the Napa Valley to work in law enforcement. In 
1999, Chief Hartley began his position as a police officer with the 
City of St. Helena. During his time at the St. Helena Police 
Department, he served as a Motorcycle Officer, Range and Tactics 
Instructor, Corporal, Sergent, Lieutenant, and Chief. He became the 
Chief of Police in 2019. As Chief, he guided our community through two 
major fires, the first public safety power shutoffs, the Covid-19 
Pandemic, and major social justice reforms.
  Chief Hartley's contributions have been widely recognized across our 
law enforcement community, most prominently when St. Helena's Police 
Department was awarded the Distinguished Silver Medal for Excellence in 
Policy Management by the risk assessment agency, Lexipol. Chief Hartley 
is widely respected among peace officers across California and is loved 
by the residents of St. Helena.
  Chief Hartley is dedicated to helping our Napa Valley community and 
has served as a member of the St. Helena Rotary Club, Napa Elks, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the A-Z Foundation for Disabled Veterans. 
He has continued to serve St. Helena through his support of the 
UpValley Family Center, Napa Emergency Women's Shelter, We Care Animal 
Rescue, Monarch Education Center of Napa Valley, and Napa Victim 
Witness Services. Chief Hartley trains and supports law enforcement in 
the Napa Valley and across California through his work as an instructor 
with the Napa Valley College Police Academy, as chairman of the board 
for Napa County Special Investigations, and as a member of the 
California Police Chiefs Association, FBI National Academy, California 
Gangs Association, and the California Narcotics Association.
  Chief Hartley married his wife Shelley Hartley in August 1980. They 
are blessed with three children named Christina, Casandra, and James, 
along with 8 grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, Chief Chris Hartley has dedicated his life to protecting 
St. Helena, California, and the United States of America. He has 
transformed the lives of those around him through his service and 
mentorship to others. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor 
him here today.

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