[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17235-17236]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING POLICE OFFICER FRANK C. DENZINGER

 Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, with a heavy heart and deep sense of 
gratitude I honor the life of a dedicated police officer from Indiana. 
Frank Denzinger, 32 years old, died on June 18, 2007, from a gunshot 
wound he suffered in the line of duty as a Floyd County sheriff's 
deputy. Frank risked his life, every day, to serve and protect Hoosiers 
in order to make Indiana a better place.
  Frank was a good man and was well loved by the Floyd County 
community. He was best known for his devotion to his family as a loyal 
father, husband, son, and brother. He was a loving husband to Tara, who 
said their 2-year-old daughter, Avery, was his ``pride and joy.'' He is 
also survived by his parents Frank W. and Patricia, as well as his 
sisters, Sara Rowe and Amy Cook.
  Frank was a graduate of Floyd Central High School, and also graduated 
with honors from Vincennes University and Eastern Kentucky University. 
He was a 4-year veteran of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department. The 
former Floyd County Sheriff who hired him, Randy Hubbard, described him 
as being an ``excellent, high-quality'' deputy, who was always willing 
to lend a hand to families, ``helping them work out problems, little 
things.''

[[Page 17236]]

  Frank's last action was one of incredible heroism. After being shot 
in the back, he pushed a woman out of the line of fire and into safety. 
This final act of bravery not only encompassed his dedication to his 
job and duty to protect, but also illustrated his extraordinary 
character. His friend and fellow deputy, Jeff Firkins, said, ``He was a 
hero to the end. He took every care to make sure everybody else was 
safe. He was a great person and he had a heart of gold.''
  Today, I join Frank's family and friends in mourning his death. While 
we struggle to bear sorrow over this loss, we can also take pride in 
the example he set, bravely serving to make America a safer place. It 
is his heroism and strength of character that people will remember when 
they think of Frank, a memory that will burn brightly during these 
continuing days of conflict and grief.
  When I think about Frank's profound commitment to protect and the 
pain that accompanies the unjust loss of this outstanding officer, I 
hope that some comfort can be brought to all the loved ones Frank left 
behind through the words of Peter 3:14, ``but even if you should suffer 
for what is right, you are blessed.'' Both Frank's final heroic act, as 
well as his everyday lifestyle, epitomized doing what is right. May God 
be with all of you who mourn this tragic loss, as I know He is with 
Frank.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Frank C. Denzinger in the 
official record of the United States Senate for his service to the 
State of Indiana and the United States of America.

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