[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CHARLES CITY, IOWA POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR TODD 
            SMITH AND MASON CITY POLICE OFFICER STEVE KLEMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles City, 
Iowa Police Department Investigator Todd Smith and Mason City Police 
Officer Steve Klemas as recipients of The Sullivan Brothers' Award of 
Valor for saving another's life by risking their own.
   The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor Program was established in 
1977 to recognize peace officers and firefighters, who while serving in 
an official capacity, distinguished themselves by performing a heroic 
act while fully aware of a threat to his/her personal safety. The 
strict nomination process includes background investigations, and the 
final determination is made by the Governor of Iowa.
   On June 18, 2007, Officer Klemas and Investigator Smith responded to 
a request by the Wright County sheriff to assist in an armed stand-off 
that occurred after the office attempted to serve a committal order on 
an individual. After failed negotiations, two rounds of tear gas, and a 
five-hour stand-off, Officer Klemas and Investigator Smith led a team 
of eight into the house. Investigator Smith served as the shield 
person, and was shot at three times as Officer Klemas fired on the 
individual to subdue him and take him into custody.
   Investigator Smith and Officer Klemas' bravery goes above and beyond 
what we are asked of as citizens of this country. Their courage 
illustrates the compassion of Iowans; willing to risk their own lives 
for the safety of our fellow citizens. For this I offer them my utmost 
congratulations and thanks.
   I commend Officer Steve Klemas and Investigator Todd Smith for their 
bravery. I am honored to represent them in Congress and I wish them the 
best in their future endeavors.

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