[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          DEPUTY LARRY GILDER

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 29, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize 
Jefferson County Deputy Larry Gilder, who was presented with a Life 
Saving Award during a ceremony on October 30, 2012. Deputy Gilder put 
himself into harm's way on two separate occasions this year alone, 
earning him accolades and the title of ``hero.''
  During a routine patrol in Beaumont, Texas, on October 12, 2012, 
Deputy Gilder came across an 18-wheeler loaded with heavy equipment 
that was stuck on a railroad track. Gilder used his vehicle to block 
traffic so they could attempt to dislodge the vehicle with no success. 
The truck could not move. Deputy Gilder went to make an assistance call 
and saw the worst possible sight--a train headed straight towards them.
  Thinking quickly, Deputy Gilder alerted his dispatch and began racing 
to get the driver out of the vehicle. Thanks to the noise and 
commotion, the driver never heard the train. They were able to move him 
into safety while Gilder had enough time to move his vehicle out of the 
way of the train. Mere seconds later, the trailer was destroyed. No 
injuries were reported, including the son of the driver, who was asleep 
in the cab. Deputy Gilder saved three lives that day, including his 
own.
  This was not the first incident where Deputy Gilder went above and 
beyond in the line of duty. Earlier this year, Deputy Gilder and his 
partner came upon a trailer on fire. A woman found herself trapped 
inside with the fire growing and time running out. They were able to 
rescue the woman, and Deputy Gilder suffered injuries due to his daring 
escape. When asked about the injuries, he responded that he would do 
anything for the citizens of Jefferson County.
  President Ronald Reagan once said that ``Heroes may not be braver 
than anyone else. They are just braver for five minutes longer.'' 
Thanks to two daring moves by Deputy Larry Gilder, lives were saved. He 
is a true American hero.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________