[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10910-10911]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF SACRAMENTO POLICE OFFICER DARIN MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to one of the 
Sacramento Police Department's finest and bravest officers. Sacramento 
Police Officer Darin Miller is being awarded the Silver Medal of Valor 
for his heroic actions during a robbery at a Rite Aid pharmacy in 
Sacramento. As his law enforcement colleagues, friends and family 
gather to honor Officer Miller's bravery, I ask all my colleagues in 
the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing this 
outstanding individual.
  On Halloween evening last year, Officer Miller was dispatched to what 
was described as a robbery in progress at a local pharmacy. While 
enroute, Officer Miller was informed that the suspect had stabbed one 
store employee and taken another one hostage. As the first on the 
scene, he knew that he must take quick action to ensure the safety of 
all involved. What followed was a display of courage and heroism in the 
face of adversity.
  Upon his arrival at the store, Officer Miller was confronted with a 
chaotic scene. Store personnel directed him to the pharmacy,

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where the robbery was unfolding. As he arrived in the pharmacy, Officer 
Miller saw a victim who was bleeding from his head. Knowing the 
severity of the situation, he quickly found the suspect who was holding 
a large knife to a woman's throat.
  Having already seen a previous victim, Officer Miller knew that this 
woman's life was in imminent danger. He carefully maneuvered himself 
into the tight quarters of the pharmacy, within a few feet of the 
suspect. At this time, the suspect was using the woman as a shield, and 
did not respond when Officer Miller commanded that he drop the knife. 
Carefully waiting until the suspect moved his head slightly, which 
provided a clear sight, Officer Miller then fired a single round at the 
suspect who fell to the ground. He then provided immediate medical 
attention until medics arrived on the scene.
  Officer Miller's sound judgment and quick actions helped bring an end 
to an extremely dangerous situation and likely saved the life of an 
innocent woman. As a 4-year veteran of the Sacramento Police 
Department, Officer Miller leveraged his previous experience and 
training to resolve the situation, and as a result of his actions lives 
were saved and further injuries averted.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Sacramento Police Officer 
Darin Miller who is most deserving of the Silver Medal of Valor Award. 
His swift actions embody the courage and bravery we entrust in our law 
enforcement. On behalf of the people of Sacramento and the Fifth 
Congressional District of California, I ask all my colleagues to join 
me in acknowledging the lifesaving efforts of Sacramento Police Officer 
Darin Miller.

                          ____________________