[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14860]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO LARRY D. SMITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication to the community and to the overall well-
being and safety of the County of Riverside, CA, is exceptional. The 
County of Riverside has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated 
community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give time and talent to 
making their communities a better place to live and work. Larry Smith 
is one of these individuals. On August 1, 2002, Larry will be retiring 
after thirty-six years of dedicated service to the community as a law 
enforcement officer. His outstanding work as a police officer and 
sheriff, in addition to his personal involvement in the community, will 
be celebrated on August 1st dedicated as ``Larry D. Smith Day''.
  Larry Smith obtained his bachelor's degree in Public Management from 
Pepperdine University and his first assignment in law enforcement was 
as deputy sheriff in the Blythe Jail and Patrol. His tenure included a 
variety of command assignments, including narcotics enforcement, 
information services, jails and patrol. He served as the County's 
Search and Rescue coordinator and commanded the department's Emergency 
Services Team (SWAT).
  In 1987 Smith was promoted to chief deputy sheriff. Under his superb 
leadership as chief of the Corrections Division, two modern jails were 
financed and built. He guided the division through its largest growth 
in the history of the Department.
  Larry was elected as Riverside County's eleventh sheriff, winning the 
office in the June 1994 primary and assuming the office of sheriff on 
December 14, 1994. He was reelected to his second term in December 1998 
and he served as the first sheriff, coroner, public administrator and 
marshal in the history of Riverside County. As sheriff, he procured 365 
acres at March Air Reserve Base for a public safety training center, 
which provides training for law enforcement, fire and paramedics. This 
paved the way for future centers throughout the United States by 
enabling the transfer of surplus land from the U.S. Military to the 
private sector through the legislative process.
  Larry has also been actively involved in the community, serving as a 
member of the board for the American Heart Association and the United 
Way of the Inland Empire. He presently serves on the Advisory Committee 
for the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation, a charitable group 
dedicated to granting the wishes of terminally ill children. In 
recognition of his outstanding service, Larry has been a recipient of 
numerous awards such as special recognition in 1996 from the California 
Narcotics Officers' Association; he was named the outstanding law 
enforcement officer in 1996 from Veterans of Foreign Wars; the 1997 
director's award for partnership from the California Department of 
Forestry and Fire Protection; and, the 1998 professional of the year 
from the California Peace Officers Association.
  Larry's tireless work as the Riverside County Sheriff has contributed 
unmeasurably to the safety and betterment of Riverside County. His 
involvement in community organizations makes me proud to call him a 
fellow community member, American and friend. I know that all of the 
residents of Riverside County are grateful for his service and salute 
him as he departs and I look forward to continuing to work with him for 
the good of our community in the future.

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