[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2651-2652]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF'S DEPUTY JAMES I. THACKER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
who dedicated many great years of service to the residents of Pike 
County, KY, Sheriff's Deputy James I. Thacker of Elkhorn City, KY.
  Sadly, Deputy Thacker was recently killed in a tragic automobile 
accident in the line of duty on Monday, January 23, on U.S. Highway 460 
near Marrowbone, KY. He was 53 years old. I would like to take a moment 
to share with my colleagues the legacy that was left behind by this 
great man and humble public servant.
  When asked to comment on the untimely death of Deputy Thacker, Pike 
County Sheriff Charles ``Fuzzy'' Keesee said, ``He was kind and 
compassionate; he treated everyone else like he wanted to be treated. 
He was that kind of person, just an excellent officer.'' Deputy Thacker 
was genuinely devoted to the people of Pike County, whom he had 
dedicated his life to serve. James has been described as the type of 
man you could call on day or night, with anything you may need, no 
matter how big or how small.
  Deputy Thacker held an array of jobs in Pike County throughout his 
life. He served his country as a Marine early on in his life. Later on 
he became a Pike County road foreman. Next, he spent 8 years as Pike 
County's constable before assuming the role of Deputy Sheriff a little 
over a year ago.
  Deputy Thacker most assuredly left an incredible legacy in each of 
the positions he held in his lifetime. He was cherished and appreciated 
by the citizens of Pike County, and this was proven when hundreds of 
friends, colleagues and family members attended his visitation to pay 
their respects. Among those assembled, people felt that anyone who knew 
James was truly blessed, and could find joy in simply being in his 
company. ``He was very likeable and he was the type of person that once 
you knew him, it seemed like you knew him forever,'' said Sheriff 
Keesee.
  Mr. President, at this time I would like to ask my U.S. Senate 
colleagues

[[Page 2652]]

to join me in commemorating this fallen law-enforcement officer, and 
recognizing the legacy that he has left behind by making Elkhorn City, 
Pike County, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky a great place.
  A news story on the tragic death of Sheriff's Deputy James I. Thacker 
recently aired on WYMT TV News of Hazard, Kentucky, and was published 
on WKYT.com. I ask unanimous consent that said story be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                     [From WKYT.com, Jan. 24, 2012]

                    Sheriff Remembers Fallen Deputy

                          (By Angela Sparkman)

       Pike County Sheriff's Deputy James I. Thacker died while on 
     duty after a car crash Monday night near Marrowbone on U.S. 
     460.
       Sheriff Fuzzy Keesee says Thacker was serving papers on his 
     way home to Elkhorn City when the wreck happened.
       State police spent most of Tuesday investigating the three-
     vehicle crash and say an SUV crossed the center line and hit 
     Thacker's cruiser. Another vehicle also hit the cars after 
     the collision.
       The sheriff says Thacker will always be remembered for his 
     service to Pike County.
       ``He was kind and compassionate, he treated everyone else 
     like he wanted to be treated. He was that kind of person, 
     just an excellent officer,'' Sheriff Keesee said.
       Keesee says Thacker joined the department just last year 
     but served as a constable for four years before becoming a 
     sheriff's deputy.
       A Pike County Sheriff's cruiser now sits in front of the 
     courthouse, draped in black and a wreath on top in memory of 
     53-year-old James I. Thacker.
       Sheriff Charles ``Fuzzy'' Keesee says Thacker always 
     answered the call of duty to help people. Monday night, the 
     call for help was for Thacker.
       The Sheriff says Thacker was serving papers on his way home 
     to Elkhorn City. He never made it.
       The dozens of police who answered the call to help Thacker 
     could not save him. He died at the scene. It was a scene the 
     sheriff will never forget.
       ``His family was there. I talked to them, had a prayer with 
     them. We were all saddened,'' said Sheriff Keesee.
       State police are still investigating what caused the SUV to 
     allegedly lose control and cause the crash. Troopers are 
     reconstructing the wreck on U.S. 460.
       Meanwhile, the Sheriff's department is coming together to 
     remember their friend and fallen officer.
       ``It's going to be a great loss to the community around 
     us,'' said Sheriff Keesee.
       The visitation for Thacker starts Wednesday night at the 
     Community Funeral Home in Coon Creek. His funeral is Friday 
     at 1 p.m. at East Ridge High School.

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