[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6540-6541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SERGEANT KINTERKNECHT, OFFICER RAGSDALE AND OFFICER WITTE TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, it is a true honor to stand and pay tribute 
to three members of the Montrose Police Community that displayed 
courage exceeding the call of duty. On July 25th, 2009, Sergeant 
Kinterknecht, along with Officers Ragsdale and Witte, and other members 
of the Montrose Police Department and Montrose County Sheriff's 
Department responded to a domestic violence call that quickly turned 
violent.
  Soon after authorities arrived, gunfire erupted, tragically leaving 
Sergeant Kinterknecht fatally wounded, and Officers Ragsdale and Witte 
severely wounded in both of their legs. In the chaos that followed many 
other police personnel responded boldly providing CPR and other life 
saving techniques as needed, while securing the crime scene.
  Sergeant Kinterknecht, a Montrose native, has been posthumously 
awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor by the Montrose Police 
Department for his valor in the face of great and imminent danger. 
Sergeant David Kinterknecht had been involved with law enforcement 
since he was 14, as a member of the Montrose Police Explorers, a local 
youth group. He was a committed family man who is survived by his wife 
Kathy and his daughters Andrea and Amanda.
  Officer Rodney Ragsdale, who made his way to Montrose from Suburban 
Denver, was another man who had been deeply involved in law 
enforcement. Officer Ragsdale was shot in both of his legs, and for his 
display of bravery he was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal 
of Honor by the Montrose Police Department.
  Officer Larry Witte was just 23 at the time of the incident, and only 
two years out of Western State College in Gunnison. Officer Witte was 
also severely wounded from gunshot wounds in both of his legs, and for 
his steadfastness in dire circumstances he was also awarded the Purple 
Heart and the Medal of Honor. Officer Witte has a lovely wife, Chelsea, 
and a beautiful young daughter, Julia. He has recovered from his wounds 
and is back on patrol in Montrose.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor to rise in tribute to these three 
brave men. We should never forget the sacrifices the men and women in 
law enforcement make every day to insure our safety, and the sacrifices 
of their families. To Officer Ragsdale and Officer Witte, thank you for 
your service and gallantry. To the Kinterknecht family, our thoughts 
and

[[Page 6541]]

prayers have, and continue to be, with you all. Sergeant Kinterknecht 
gave his life in service, and he shall not be forgotten.

                          ____________________