[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING OFFICER THOMAS DECKER UPON HIS DEATH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2012

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Thomas 
Decker of the Cold Spring Police Department. On November 29, Officer 
Decker was killed in the line of duty while trying to help a man 
believed to be suicidal.
  Officer Decker was a Minnesota boy through and through, growing up on 
a dairy farm near Cold Spring. After attending Rocori High School, he 
went on to serve as a police officer for 10 years, serving in the 
communities of Isle, Watkins, Kimball, and the Cold Spring/Richmond 
Police Department. He bravely served the citizens of central Minnesota 
and those who knew him called him a hero who loved his family. He 
leaves behind a wife, four young children, parents, siblings and a 
community who loved him.
  Officer Decker's death tears at the heartstrings of a small town who 
knows all too well the sting of heartbreaking tragedy. This community 
lost another son to senseless bloodshed. It is hard to grasp why such 
violence occurs, but it is important that friends and neighbors stick 
together in these trying times. My thoughts and prayers are with the 
Decker family as they deal with this painful loss, especially five-
year-old Devon, six-year-old Justin, seven-year-old Jade and eight-
year-old Kelly.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to join with me in mourning the loss of 
this brave and noble police officer who represented not only Minnesota, 
but also a force which protects citizens across this great country.

                          ____________________