[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




MINGO COUNTY SHERIFF EUGENE CRUM A TRUE TITAN IN THE BATTLE FOR LAW AND 
                                 ORDER

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2013

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, each April just a few blocks from the 
Nation's Capitol Building, we witness in full bloom 10,000 daffodils, 
amidst well manicured lawns, signaling the advent of the season of 
renewal and hope. This peaceful setting surrounds two blue-gray curved 
marble walls that help form our Nation's lasting tribute and memorial 
to law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the 
line of duty.
  Every 57 hours in this Country, a law enforcement officer lays down 
their life, so that the rest of us can enjoy lives enriched by the very 
safety and security our officers provide.
  Last week, West Virginians lost a true titan in the battle for law 
and order. Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum had just left his friend 
and compatriot, Judge Michael Thornsbury, with the parting words, ``I'm 
going to fight the good fight,'' so he could spend his lunch hour in 
his vehicle, keeping an eye on a former illegal pill mill. Moments 
later, the Sheriff would be slain. While the cause of the heinous 
murder remains under intense investigation its effect is well known.
  Dave Rockel, Sheriff Crum's friend and teammate as the Commander of 
Mingo County's Drug Task Force said the murder has ``awakened a 
sleeping giant.'' Commander Rockel pointed out ``Operation Zero 
Tolerance'' has taken on a new significance to continue the Sheriffs 
legacy of waging a successful war against the scourge of prescription 
drug abuse. As Judge Thornsbury calculated, the Sheriff had already 
achieved 57 felony convictions within 93 days of being sworn into 
office. Make no mistake, Eugene Crum may have been a new Sheriff, but 
he was a three-decade-old seasoned veteran of law enforcement, having 
served as a police lieutenant, chief of police, magistrate and chief 
magistrate.
  Since the Sheriffs passing, many tributes have been offered by 
friends, officeholders and multiple newspaper editorials have been 
written to honor Sheriff Crum, his achievements, his compassion, his 
humility, his selflessness, and his fervent dedication and devotion to 
duty. And, what honor and comfort it must be to his widow, Rosie, his 
children, Julie and Bub, and his entire family to know that, as Judge 
Thornsbury relayed, Eugene was often times able to personally enjoy one 
of the highest compliments anyone can be paid. For when many of those 
he had previously arrested would see Eugene on the street, they would 
stop to thank him for saving their lives. I ask my colleagues, here in 
the people's House, ``What truer measure of a man is there?''
  To such a man, this Nation remains deeply indebted and eternally 
grateful. On the National Memorial honoring the fallen, one of its four 
inscriptions reads, ``In valor, there is hope.'' Eugene Crum's valor 
was as significant as that of the bravest soldier on the most 
tumultuous of battlefields. For Eugene, the field of battle was in the 
hills and hollows of home, on the front porches and through the 
backyards of neighbors, on the streets of Mingo County's downtowns and 
on their corners during the darkest hours of night. His battle endured 
without end until justice had ultimately prevailed. Indeed the legacy 
of Eugene Crum will live on each time justice is served and tempered 
with mercy to give new hope to those who have wronged their families 
and their communities. Eugene Crum's hope for a more civil world, born 
of his life of valor, is the badge of honor Sheriff Rosie Crum now 
wears, as do his comrades in law enforcement throughout our Nation.
  As it was strongly and passionately relayed at his memorial this past 
weekend by Mingo County Commission President John Mark Hubbard, shame 
on anyone who will not make sure that the change Sheriff Crum laid his 
life down for does not continue.
  Mr. Speaker, the obligation of the Congress to aid our law 
enforcement officers is clear. As American citizens, let us pray for 
their safe keeping, and that their resolve--this Nation's resolve--will 
be strengthened by the indelible mark left by Eugene Crum to serve and 
protect the people he loved.

                          ____________________