[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 31555-31556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO OFFICER PHILIP DAVIS OF PELHAM, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2009

  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, let us honor of the memory of Officer 
Philip Davis, the first officer in the history of the Pelham, Alabama 
Police Department to die in the line of duty.
  Officer Davis was performing his sworn duty to protect the public 
when he was shot and fatally wounded during a traffic stop on I-65 in 
Shelby County on December 3.
  Philip Davis was a four and a half year veteran of the Pelham Police 
Department. He previously was an officer in Calera and with the 
University of Alabama Police Department.
  Officer Davis was devoted to the law, his community, his faith, and 
especially his family. He felt that it was his calling to serve and 
protect others.
  Pelham Police Chief Tommy Thomas said, ``He was an excellent police 
officer. He loved his job and we loved him.''
  Shelby County District Attorney Robbie Owens said, ``Philip was a 
genuinely good, Christian person and dear police officer. We will all 
miss Philip. He was a good man.''

[[Page 31556]]

  Pelham Mayor Don Murphy said, ``This was a very sad day for the City 
of Pelham and for law enforcement all across our nation. Philip was an 
asset to both the Police Department and the City of Pelham. His 
dedication, personality and commitment will be greatly missed. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with his young family.''
  Philip Davis was just 33 years old. Our sympathies and prayers are 
with his wife, Paula, and his two young children, Sarah and John.
  In a close-knit community like Pelham, Philip Davis was a friend, 
neighbor, and role model.
  The depth of the community's love for him was clear from the way 
citizens lined up in cars and along the streets during memorial 
services that were attended by more than one-thousand fellow law 
enforcement officials.
  All law enforcement officers and their families live with a special 
burden every day. They know there are risks involved with every call, 
whether it is serious or seemingly routine. Yet our police officers 
willingly accept these risks in order to keep our communities safe. 
That is why our officers deserve nothing less than our highest respect 
and complete support.
  The untimely death of any police officer is a loss not only to the 
immediate community, but to our nation.
  The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, which 
is not far from the U.S. Capitol, is our national tribute to the 
sacrifices that courageous members of the law enforcement community 
have made to keep us secure. The name of Officer Philip Davis will be 
added to this memorial so that his legacy is properly remembered and 
cherished.
  No words can adequately make up for the loss of a dedicated officer 
and devoted husband and father. But as an inscription at the Memorial 
reads, ``It is not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is 
how they lived.''
  I thank my colleagues for this opportunity to honor to life and 
service of Officer Philip Davis.

                          ____________________