[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20027]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING OFFICERS MICHAEL KING AND RICHARD SMITH

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, on Friday, September 9th the Nation 
honored two of our fallen heroes with the unveiling of their names at 
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial here in Washington, DC. 
Officers Michael King and Richard Smith of the Albuquerque Police 
Department were killed in the line of duty on August 19, 2005, a day 
that has become known as ``The Saddest Day'' to the residents of 
Albuquerque. The officers were in the process of taking into custody a 
mentally unstable man who had allegedly murdered 3 other people. Their 
actions on that fateful day saved the lives of countless others and 
were exemplary of the way these two fine officers lived their lives.
  I speak today to honor Officer King and Officer Smith not for the way 
they died but for the way they lived--examples of honesty, dedication, 
commitment, and caring to the countless lives that they touched through 
their work and in their private lives. The residents of Albuquerque and 
New Mexico have taken these officers and their families to their heart. 
Now the Nation has the opportunity to honor these fine men.
  Officer Michael King joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 1980 
and spend 11 years in the traffic unit until he retired. But King 
missed the camaraderie of the force and his fellow officers and he 
returned to work in the traffic unit. Often referred to as a ``gentle 
giant,'' Michael would often stop to help stranded motorists fix their 
cars. Mr. King worked with and trained many of New Mexico's top law 
enforcement officers and left a lasting impression with them all. 
Officer King leaves behind a wife and two sons.
  Like his good friend Officer King, Officer Richard Smith didn't need 
to be working that August day. He had retired from APD but he couldn't 
stay away and returned to service to protect the people of Albuquerque. 
Officer Smith is remembered as a man who was committed to his family, 
faith, and public service. He was always ready with a broad smile and a 
wave. He spent most of his career as a traffic cop and was buried 25 
years to the day he graduated from the police academy. Officer Smith 
leaves behind a wife and a 13-year-old daughter.
  These two officers are examples of the best our Nation has to offer. 
It is right that we honor these men and all the officers who have given 
their lives to protect their fellow citizens.

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