[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2214-S2215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          National Police Week

  Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the men and women 
who risk their lives every day when they leave their homes so that we 
can return to the safety of ours--these incredible, hard-working men 
and women in law enforcement.
  This National Police Week, I am reminded of those men and women, but 
I am also reminded of the ones that never returned home. There are 
several Alabamians who made the ultimate sacrifice this year while 
protecting our communities, and I would like to take a moment to 
recognize them: Conservation Enforcement Officer Shawn Nixon, Police 
Officer Dallas Hinton, Corporal David Hathcock, and Lieutenant Mark 
Meadows. All recently lost their lives while serving their communities 
valiantly.
  Shawn Nixon was always known as a ``man on a mission.'' This was 
evident through his incredible performance in the field, which was 
rightfully recognized, so much so that he was nominated for an 
unprecedented 14 ``Officer of the Year'' awards. He was ultimately 
honored with the Shikar-Safari ``Officer of the Year'' award just 2 
years ago.
  Shawn wasn't just an incredible officer, though. He was a loving 
father and a loyal friend. He was remembered by all who knew him--his 
two children, countless friends, and the entire Alabama police 
community--as a man whose mission will continue to live on, and they 
will carry his memory with them.
  I would also like to recognize Dallas Hinton. In the greatest Nation 
in the world, young people are fortunate to have what seems like 
endless paths they can take in life. Dallas chose one of the most noble 
paths possible by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  After his time in the Marines came to an end, Dallas became a police 
officer with the Thomasville Police Department, just 2 years ago. 
Dallas served the Thomasville community with the same strength, 
courage, and valor that he displayed during his time in the Marines.
  And at just 25 years old, when he had his whole life ahead of him, 
his life, unfortunately, was cut short. I am confident it would have 
been a bright one.
  He leaves behind a loving fiancee, a mother, a father, as well as two 
brothers and two sisters.

[[Page S2215]]

  It is my hope that we can all lead our lives with the same courage 
that Dallas did.
  He will not be forgotten, and his spirit of service will live on 
across Alabama with the many lives that he touched.
  Only a couple of months ago, the Montgomery community mourned the 
loss of David Hathcock, a 20-year veteran of the Montgomery Police 
Department.
  Being a part of any community for that long--much less protecting it 
every single day--you are bound to make a lasting impact. That is 
exactly what Corporal Hathcock did. He was considered a leader by those 
around him, even those who were more senior than him in the department. 
But, especially, young officers looked to him as they rose through the 
ranks for guidance and as an incredible example. David led with 
excellence, pride, and courage, which trickled down throughout the 
entire department.
  His memory will live on through his wife and two daughters, as well 
as countless colleagues and Montgomery residents whose lives he 
touched.
  And, finally, I would like to recognize Lieutenant Mark Meadows. An 
Army Ranger veteran, Lieutenant Meadows was no stranger to service.
  After beginning his career as a police officer in Mountain Brook, in 
1992, Mark found his home in Irondale, AL. He became a fixture of that 
community, serving the Irondale Police Department for over 30 years.
  Outside of work, he was a helping hand to all who needed it, helping 
to coordinate traffic security or the security at his home church. He 
did that for more than a decade.
  Mark was the real deal and will always be remembered as leaning in 
and helping those who needed it most.
  I want to encourage everyone across our Nation this week to thank a 
police officer. The stories I just told were those of Alabamians who 
loved their community, their State, and their country. They displayed 
that every single day. And as we all know, when police officers leave 
the safety of their home so we can return to ours, we owe them a debt 
of gratitude.
  These men that we just honored didn't have the opportunity to return 
home. So don't wait until it is too late. Don't wait until after their 
service. When you see an officer, let them know how much you appreciate 
it. Let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice and service. 
Whether it is here in this building, which we are so grateful for, 
whether it is back home, whether it is on the street corner, we 
appreciate the law and order they bring and making sure our communities 
are safe and sound.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.