[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8786]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SERGEANT HOWARD PLOUFF

  (Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of SGT Howard 
Plouff who was killed last month while answering the call for help from 
sheriffs deputies in Winston-Salem. Sergeant Plouff was known as an 
honorable man who selflessly served his family and community for more 
than 17 years in the Winston-Salem Police Department.
  He was dedicated to community development and service. He was an 
assistant coach in the Southwest Forsyth Little League and was a member 
of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons. His is a legacy of the 
spirit of service that permeates this great country, and I am saddened 
by the profound loss that his death will be to his family, his police 
colleagues, his friends and our community.
  He grew up on Long Island in New York City. He joined the Winston-
Salem Police Department in 1989 and was promoted to sergeant in 1999.
  Sergeant Plouff's career as a police officer was punctuated by his 
commitment to serving our community in North Carolina with distinction 
and honor. He earned the respect of his fellow officers and did not 
hesitate to go above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, during his 
time with the Winston-Salem Police Department, he was awarded its 
highest honor, the Medal of Valor, in 2003 for helping to prevent the 
suicide of a woman who had threatened to jump to her death from her 
apartment building. His death leaves a gaping hole not only with his 
family but within the ranks of Winston-Salem's Police Department.
  He left behind a loving wife, Joyce, who is a third grade teacher at 
Southwest Elementary School, and his 13-year-old daughter, Brandy, and 
11-year-old daughter, Holly.
  Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Plouff's wife 
and daughters and his extended family. May God bless them and comfort 
them during this difficult time. The city of Winston-Salem is fortunate 
to have been served by such an honorable and brave officer. He was a 
blessing to the many whose lives he touched. He will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________