[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2896]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF OFFICER TODD M. MYERS, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER MEDAL OF VALOR 
                               RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2008

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of a hero. Heroism is a word we use a lot these days, and in a world 
beset by such real and mounting dangers, it's understandable that we're 
always in the market for a guardian angel or two. Still, I believe we 
could all learn something from the real-life heroism of Officer Todd M. 
Myers of Simsbury, Connecticut.
  On July 29, 2005, Officer Myers was out of uniform and making his way 
to work when he witnessed a dump truck careen out of control and race 
down Avon Mountain, scattering cars and bursting into flames. Driven by 
little else than his impulse to help, Officer Myers plunged himself 
into the harrowing crash site, cutting a trapped woman from her car 
while exploding gas tanks left him with first- and second-degree burns. 
Rescuing several others, Officer Myers stayed at the scene with the 
injured until proper paramedic care could be administered. No one told 
him to help, and he certainly was under no obligation to do so as an 
out-of-uniform officer--but none the less, Officer Myers was compelled 
to place the welfare of others before his own.
  This past December, to honor his courage and selfless sacrifice, the 
President of the United States will bestow the Public Safety Officer 
Medal of Valor to Officer Myers--an honor which has been bestowed on 
only a few of the most heroic Americans. Just as countless men and 
women risk their lives overseas every day in our military, men and 
women like Todd Myers carry the equally solemn duty of protecting 
America here in our towns, neighborhoods, and communities. We are all 
deeply indebted to Officer Myers and the unsung public safety officers 
across the country just like him, and I wish to extend my sincere 
congratulations to him and his family.

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