[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF JERRY W. POTTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I 
rise today to recognize the life of retired Pensacola Police Chief 
Jerry W. Potts. Chief Potts passed away on August 6, 2010, after 
courageously battling cancer. He was a respected leader who spent his 
life serving his community and his country, and I am proud to honor his 
lifetime of dedication and service.
  Even as a young man, Chief Potts recognized the importance of serving 
his country. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Army 82nd 
Airborne Division and served honorably for 3 years. During his time 
with the 82nd Airborne, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge for his 
active engagement in ground combat.
  Shortly after serving in the Army, in 1973 Chief Potts joined the 
Pensacola Police Department. His commitment to excellence as an officer 
through his various assignments in Dispatch, Uniform Patrol, 
Investigations, and Traffic did not go unnoticed, and in 1995 Chief 
Potts was selected to serve as Assistant Chief. He continued to rise 
through the ranks four years later and was appointed as Chief of the 
Pensacola Police Department, where he remained until his retirement in 
2002. Chief Potts' positive impact on the department can be evidenced 
through the number of projects initiated under his leadership and 
through the number of improvements made in the Northwest Florida 
community.
  Chief Jerry Potts will forever remain in the hearts and minds of 
those around him, not only as a cherished and well-respected figure, 
but as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his 
middle school sweetheart of 44 years, Linda, their 2 sons Jason and 
Justin, and their 5 grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize the life and deeds of Chief Jerry W. Potts. A committed 
community leader and loving family man--he will be missed by many, but 
his memory will live on through the timeless legacy he left. My wife 
Vicki joins me in extending our thoughts and prayers to the entire 
Potts family.

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