[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    HONORING CORPORAL THOMAS ROBERTS

 Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with great sadness and 
tremendous gratitude to honor the life of a brave law enforcement 
officer from Mishawaka. Corporal Thomas Roberts was only 43 years old 
when his life was taken from him in an instant. He died during the 
predawn hours of December 13, 2003 in Mishawaka, while responding to a 
``shots fired'' call. He was hit by the assailant's gunfire and died at 
the scene. As a 14-year veteran of the Mishawaka Police Department, Tom 
was a respected police officer who protected community members and 
fought for the values we all hold close to our hearts.
  Tom Roberts was the second officer killed that night while dutifully 
serving his city. Today, I join Tom's family, friends, and the entire 
Michiana community in mourning Tom's death. While our pride in Tom 
shall certainly live on, so, too, will our sorrow.
  After working for 10 years at Ladig, Inc., Tom attended the 
Plainfield Police Academy and joined the Mishawaka Police Department in 
1989. On or off the job, he treated everyone he met with respect and 
dignity. As a caring and concerned man, Tom always reached out to help 
others in any way he could. His respected career is a testament to his 
commitment to hard work and willingness to help others.
  Tom graduated from Mishawaka High School where he was a member of the 
football team. Tom had a lifelong love of football and was an avid 
Notre Dame football fan. He especially enjoyed going to the games with 
his family and friends and collecting sports memorabilia.
  Tom leaves behind his loving fiancee, Debbie McGinnis; his daughters, 
Lindsay, Holly, and Ashley; his son, Larry Peak; his mother, Francelia; 
brothers, Larry and Gary; and his sisters, Ann Marie, Celia Dillon, 
Peggy Boyd, and Lisa. His father, John E. Roberts, and his brother, 
John, preceded Tom in death.
  While Tom's life on Earth has been cut short, his bravery and 
strength of character will live on. May his life serve as a clear 
reminder of the risks taken each day by law enforcement officers across 
the Nation who keep our cities and towns safe.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Corporal Thomas Roberts in the 
official record of the United States Senate for his dedication to 
public service, as well as his profound commitment to serve and 
protect. When I think about the daily sacrifices and risks that our law 
enforcement officers take each day, and the unfortunate pain that comes 
with the loss of our heroes, I hope that families like Tom's can find 
comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow 
up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all 
faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God 
bless the United States of America.

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