[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING CHAD MECHELS

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to pay honor to Deputy 
Sheriff Chad Mechels of Madison, SD, who was killed in the line of duty 
on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the age of 32. He is survived by his wife 
Jamie Mechels and two children, Avery, age 7, and Thomas, age 3.
  Chad dedicated his life to a career in law enforcement. He graduated 
from the South Dakota Law Enforcement Academy in 2005. After 
graduation, Chad worked with several law enforcement agencies including 
the Lake County and Kingsbury County Sheriff's Departments. He was 
currently serving with the Turner County Sheriff's Department when his 
life was tragically taken.
  The sacrifice made by this brave officer is something we should 
always remember. Everyday heroes, like Chad, are those who keep us all 
safe. We should all be thankful to our community law enforcement 
officers who respond to protect the safety of others while sometimes 
jeopardizing their own.
  Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line 
of duty, and for that we owe him a debt that can never be repaid. Let 
us honor Chad and so many other heroes that have made this country 
great.

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