[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6667]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO IOWA'S TOP COPS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six members of the 
Des Moines Police Department, Sergeant Michael McTaggart, Reserve 
Officer John Carter, and Senior Police Officers Colin Boone, Aaron 
Cawthorn, Jeremy Sprague, and Robin Swank, for being named Iowa's TOP 
COPS for 2012.
  In the early morning of August 28th, 2011, these officers responded 
to a report of a car accident in Des Moines to find a vehicle on its 
side completely engulfed in flames. Inside the car, the cries for help 
of three teenage girls could be heard. Fighting jagged metal and fire 
hot enough to melt glass, Des Moines' finest didn't hesitate in risking 
their own lives to save the lives of the three trapped young girls. The 
quick action of these officers embodies the professionalism the Des 
Moines Police Department instills in its officers, but it's the 
selfless courage displayed immediately by these law enforcement 
professionals that truly makes this story inspiring. All six officers 
involved in the rescue were awarded the DMPD's highest honor, the Medal 
of Valor.
  For their display of courage, the National Association of Police 
Organizations bestowed these officers with Iowa's 2012 TOP COP 
Honorable Mention award. This award is a tribute to outstanding law 
enforcement officers who display actions above and beyond the call of 
duty. Each year, TOP COPS are nominated nationwide by their fellow 
police officers, but only one case from each state is selected to be 
honored with this award. Each State's TOP COPS are invited to an award 
ceremony in Washington D.C., which is attended by celebrities, 
politicians and members of the national law enforcement community alike 
to pay tribute to these local heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, the extraordinary heroism displayed in the face of 
danger by these police officers is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 
These members of the Des Moines Police Department are a testament to 
the high quality of our State's law enforcement community. I know I 
speak for all of my colleagues in the United States Congress in 
congratulating Jeremy, Robin, Colin, Aaron, John and Michael, and 
thanking all of Iowa's police officers for their selfless efforts in 
protecting communities across our great state. Thank you.

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