[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO FLORIDA SHERIFF'S OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Rothman and myself would like to call 
your attention to six brave officers from the Sumter County and 
Hernando County Sheriff's Departments who, at great risk to their own 
lives, pursued and engaged in an exchange of gunfire with a heavily 
armed suspect accused of shooting and killing a fellow police officer.
  On Wednesday, July 23, 2003, the New Jersey Honor Legion honored 
Sergeant Scott Bierwiler, Sergeant Lanny Corlew, Corporal Lawrence 
``Bo'' Amman, Deputy John Melanson, Sergeant Danny Button, and Deputy 
Thomas Williams for their valiant actions. It is only fitting that 
these six Florida Law Officials be honored in this, the permanent 
record of the greatest freely elected body on earth.
  On Thursday, April 17, 2003, while assisting Clifton Police Officer 
Steven Farrell in a traffic stop, Fair Lawn Police Officer Mary Ann 
Collura was fatally wounded. The incident sparked what would become an 
interstate manhunt, culminating three days later with the death of the 
suspect during a gun battle in Sumter County, Florida.
  After fleeing the State of New Jersey following Collura's murder, the 
suspect traveled via New York State down to Florida. On Sunday, April 
20, 2003, Sheriff's officers in Hernando County, Florida, noticed a car 
matching the description of the suspect's car. When approached by the 
officers, the vehicle fled, leading six sheriff's deputies from Sumter 
and Hernando Counties on a 20 mile chase. The chose, during which the 
suspect repeatedly fired out of the back window of the car, came to an 
end when the suspect emerged from his car and opened fire at the police 
officers. The suspect was killed in the subsequent exchange of gunfire.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the 
accomplishments of such brave and dedicated individuals as the members 
of the Sumter County and Hernando County Sheriff's Departments. Their 
selfless and unquestioning act of heroism is a tribute to the close 
bond shared by law enforcement officials everywhere. Each of these 
officers deserves an expression of our immeasurable esteem.
  Mr. Speaker, we ask that you join our colleagues, the members of the 
New Jersey Honor Legion, and us in honoring these brave men.

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