[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                Tribute to Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol

  Mrs. MOODY. Madam President, today, I have the honor of rising in 
recognition of a true Florida hero.
  I know we hear a lot these days about entire political parties 
adopting platforms that want to defund and abolish the police, but in 
Florida, we do it a different way--an entirely different way. In fact, 
we watch what other crazy places are doing, and we just do the 
opposite, and it has worked out quite well.
  One of my favorite parts of my job as a U.S. Senator now, after 
having been the Florida attorney general and having worked with law 
enforcement for many, many years, is to spotlight Florida's brave law 
enforcement heroes when they do something uniquely heroic. It shows why 
a free society operating under the rule of law has to have brave men 
and women to answer a call and stand on a line to bravely serve us. 
Today, it is an honor to recognize Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy 
Raymond Tellez Ferriol with the Florida's Finest Award.
  Earlier this year, Deputy Tellez Ferriol saved the lives of three 
young girls.
  Many people know Florida is a peninsula. We are surrounded by the 
ocean. On this particular day, there was a rip current that was very 
close to shore. If you have lived in Florida for any time or even if 
you have traveled to Florida, you know that rip currents can be 
incredibly deadly, pulling even expert swimmers out to sea very 
quickly.
  On this day, it was supposed to be a time of fun in the Sun, but it 
almost turned deadly when three young girls got caught in a very strong 
rip current and were struggling to stay above water and get back to 
shore.
  Deputy Tellez Ferriol was on patrol in full uniform, just going about 
his day protecting Floridians. He heard bystanders screaming for help. 
He immediately ran over, and without hesitation, he went into the water 
to rescue these three young girls. He grabbed flotation devices and 
started swimming. Thankfully, he was able to get them back to shore 
safely, as in this area, the strong rip current was really pushing all 
of them out. It was because of his bravery and his quick thinking that 
these girls are still alive.
  While this instance had a happy ending, it is worth reminding 
Floridians and everyone heading to Florida--and we know there are many 
moving to Florida. It doesn't matter where I go in the Nation; someone 
I talked to just had a family member move to my home State and is one 
of my new constituents. But it is always important to remind everyone 
who lives in Florida or who visits our State's beaches of the hidden 
dangers of rip currents. There have already been eight confirmed deaths 
due to rip currents since the start of this year in Florida. So we 
always advise folks to swim with a partner, to consider swimming when 
there is a lifeguard on duty, and to identify and know what each beach 
warning flag means.
  But today is about recognizing Deputy Tellez Ferriol. He was there 
that day because he was serving his community as a guardian, as someone 
who signed up to put his safety behind the safety of others.
  I, for one, am incredibly honored and incredibly thankful that there 
are people like Deputy Tellez Ferriol and others who answer the call so 
bravely to serve others as their profession. Law enforcement officers 
do so much every day to keep us safe, and it is always such a joy to 
highlight those who show exceptional bravery and save lives.
  Today, I recognize one of Florida's finest, Lee County Sheriff's 
Office Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.

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