[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF MATTHEW PETER O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Matthew Peter O'Connor who 
retired as the Chief of Police for the Hillsborough Police Department 
after more than 30 years of service.
  Chief O'Connor has a stellar record of keeping the residents of 
Hillsborough safe. He maintained the lowest crime rate for a 
municipality with a population of over 10,000 for the entire decade of 
the 2000's. His leadership was instrumental in the department's radio 
and computer technological advances and in establishing lasting 
relationships with the Hillsborough school district. He has engaged our 
youths with bike rodeos, reading events and police officer lunches.
  Mr. O'Connor followed in his father's footsteps in pursuing a career 
in law enforcement. The son of Matthew M. O'Connor, who was a special 
agent at the San Francisco office of the California State Bureau of 
Narcotics Enforcement, Matthew P. O'Connor began his career as a 
community service officer with the San Bruno Police Department at age 
20. In 1981, he was hired as a deputy sheriff for the Alameda County 
Sheriff's Office. The following year he moved to the Hillsborough 
Police Department where he worked his way from police officer to field 
training officer to sergeant to commander and eventually chief of 
police in 2002.
  Chief O'Connor has received numerous awards including the Life Saving 
Act of Heroism, the Notre Dame de Namur University Dean's Award for 
academic excellence and service to the University, the Notre Dame de 
Namur Alumni Award for achieving prominence in a profession and the 
Leadership in Action Award. Chief O'Connor's dedication and commitment 
to law enforcement are reflected in the many roles he has taken on over 
the years: he served as president of the San Mateo County Police Chiefs 
and Sheriff Association, Member of the California Police Chiefs 
Association and International Association of Chiefs of Police, chair of 
the County Communications & Technology Committee, member of the 
California State Police Chiefs Communications & Technology Committee, 
President of the 100 Club of San Mateo County, and graduate of the 
Leadership Program of San Mateo, Foster City, Burlingame and 
Hillsborough. He has also been a strong supporter of the annual 
Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance, the Centennial Celebration, the 
Memorial Day Parade and dignitary visits.
  Matthew O'Connor was born in Glendale, California and raised in South 
San Francisco. He attended St. Veronica's Catholic School and South San 
Francisco High School. He earned his Associate in Science Degree from 
San Francisco City College. He received both his Bachelor of Science in 
Human Services and Counseling and his Master's Degree in Public Affairs 
Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University. In addition, he is 
a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 191 and the Delinquency 
Control Institute at the University of Southern California.
  Chief O'Connor and his wife of 28 years, Janie, have two children, 
Matthew and Tayler. Upon his well deserved retirement Mr. O'Connor will 
be spending more time with his family and friends, traveling and taking 
photos.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me to honor Matthew Peter 
O'Connor for his outstanding service to our community. He personifies 
what a law enforcement officer ought to be and has touched and improved 
the life of every resident in Hillsborough.

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