[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF OFFICER RANDAL SIMMONS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, the city of Los Angeles and the 
nationwide law enforcement community has lost an exemplary leader. 
Officer Randal Simmons, a 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police 
Department and 20-year member of the department's elite Special Weapons 
and Tactics Team, SWAT, is the first officer in the team's four-decade 
history to die in the line of duty. I would like to take a few moments 
to recognize Officer Randal Simmons' many important accomplishments and 
the tremendous impact he made as a leader in both his personal and 
professional life.
  Originally from New York City, Simmons' family moved to southern 
California early in his life. He graduated from Fairfax High School in 
1974 and then attended Washington State University where he studied 
criminology and was a member of the University's football team.
  After college, Simmons returned to the city of Los Angeles and became 
a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. During his career, 
Simmons served in many high-crime areas where he worked to not only 
protect the local community but also to combat gang activity. His 
dedication to serving the residents of Los Angeles was well recognized 
when he earned the distinction of becoming a member of the department's 
elite SWAT Team.
  Simmons was not only a leader to his fellow officers but also a 
highly respected leader in his community. Serving as an ordained 
minister, he was an active member of his church and helped to build a 
community gymnasium. He volunteered much of his time to lead a group 
ministry that served nearly 1,500 children and also found time to serve 
as coach for his son's football team. His presence in the community 
will truly be missed.
  I invite all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring 
Officer Randal Simmons for his guidance and leadership in fighting to 
improve the lives of all Angelinos. He is survived by his wife Lisa and 
their two children, to whom I send my heartfelt condolence. Officer 
Simmons leaves a lasting legacy of caring and compassion that serves as 
a model to us all.

                          ____________________