[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19484]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF DEPUTY SHERIFF ODELL McDUFFIE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2010

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a veteran 
sheriff's deputy in Liberty County, Texas, with longstanding ties in 
the Cleveland Community, Deputy Odell McDuffie, Jr. Deputy McDuffie was 
tragically killed on October 25, 2010, in a single car accident. He was 
just 43 years of age. Deputy McDuffie was returning from transporting a 
juvenile to the Hardin County Detention Center when his patrol car left 
the roadway and struck a tree. There was a car fire and Deputy McDuffie 
was not able to escape.
  Deputy McDuffie's family has a history of service. His brother, 
Cedric, currently works as an officer for Liberty Police Department. 
Cedric is also a City of Cleveland Councilman. His sister, Monique, is 
the former mayor of Cleveland.
  Deputy McDuffie was a 17-year veteran with the Liberty County 
Sheriff's Department assigned to the Civil Division. He consistently 
performed as an outstanding officer serving in many different 
capacities. While working as a patrol deputy, mental health officer, 
correctional officer, court bailiff and jailer, he was always well 
respected throughout the community and amongst his peers. Deputy 
McDuffie will be remembered as a dedicated lawman, an active community 
leader, as well as a loving, devoted father and husband. According to 
his fellow officers, Deputy McDuffie served the citizens of Liberty 
County with pride, honor and commitment. He is described as a gentle 
giant who always managed to keep order even in the most difficult 
situations.
  I express my sincere condolences to Deputy McDuffie's wife Emily, his 
three daughters as well as their friends and family throughout the 
great State of Texas. I commend them for persevering over the difficult 
job of their loved one serving as a law enforcement officer. Many of 
our dedicated successful officers have a significant family support 
system behind the scenes. The citizens of Liberty County have been 
touched by Deputy McDuffie's generosity, service, duty and commitment 
to his community.
  On October 30, 2010, hundreds of citizens, friends, family and law 
enforcement officers filled Cleveland's Christian Life Center to pay 
tribute to Deputy McDuffie. For miles along the procession route, 
civilians and officers stood on the roadside to salute Deputy McDuffie. 
They came to honor a devoted public servant who touched the lives of 
all the citizens he served.
  Police officers dedicate their lives to keeping our streets and 
communities secure. They selflessly venture into dangerous situations 
every day and put their lives on the line so that the rest of us can 
live in a safe environment. Deputy McDuffie was one of those officers 
who put his life on the line. He will be remembered as one of those 
elite individuals, who dedicated their entire career to protecting the 
people of Texas.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________