[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING PEORIA POLICE CHIEF ERIC ECHEVARRIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SORENSEN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2026

  Mr. SORENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peoria Police 
Chief Eric Echevarria who is retiring from the City of Peoria Police 
Department. Chief Echevarria is a pillar of the Peoria community and 
will be truly missed.
  Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria oversees and directs all 
activities of the Peoria Police Department, which has almost 250 
employees, the majority of them police officers. His work focuses on 
reducing serious crime, fostering community partnerships, improving 
traffic safety and promoting employee development. His achievements 
have been significant--driving violent gun crime down, improving the 
quality of life in Peoria's neighborhoods, expanding community 
policing, establishing a social services unit co-responder program, 
increasing the number of sworn personnel in the department, expanding 
the department's use of technology, and significantly increasing grant 
funding.
  Chief Echevarria's goal when he arrived in Peoria five years ago was 
simple: to leave the department and community better than he found it. 
He certainly has done that. It is because of selfless leaders such as 
Chief Echevarria that I am especially proud to serve the Illinois 17th 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Chief 
Echevarria on his well-earned retirement and thank him for all of his 
contributions and service to our community.

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