[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ROD BRADWAY

  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I wish to recognize and honor the 
extraordinary service and ultimate sacrifice of Indianapolis 
Metropolitan Police Officer Rod Bradway. Dedicated, loyal, and above 
all compassionate to those in need, Officer Bradway had served with the 
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, IMPD, since 2007.
  On Friday, September 20, 2013, Officer Bradway responded to a 
domestic disturbance call at Eagle Pointe Apartments in Indianapolis. 
Upon arriving, he heard a woman screaming for help from inside her 
apartment, where she was being held against her will. Officer Bradway 
quickly called for backup, and without hesitation, forced his way into 
the apartment. Upon entering, he was immediately shot twice by a 
perpetrator who waited in ambush. Although severely wounded, Bradway 
returned fire and injured the shooter before assisting officers 
arrived. This courageous effort disabled the shooter, avoiding a second 
ambush. In addition, the woman whom Officer Bradway was rushing to aid, 
along with her 10-month-old child, emerged safely, largely due to his 
immediate response and selfless action. Sadly, despite the best efforts 
of his fellow officers, EMTs, and medical personnel, Officer Bradway, 
41, succumbed to his wounds.
  ``When I heard he was the first in, I wasn't surprised,'' said 
Melissa Watkins, a friend and colleague. According to many of his peers 
and IMPD family members, Officer Bradway always wanted to be the first 
through the door, ready to help.
  An Indiana native, Officer Bradway grew up in Nappanee, where he 
attended NorthWood High School. Known for his outgoing, gregarious 
personality, athleticism, and concern for others, Rod participated on 
both the track and football teams. Many of his high school coaches 
remembered Rod as athletic and willing to help others. Former coach Jon 
Andrews said, ``I think he loved people and loved athletics, and both 
of those traits showed up in the way he built his life.'' Rod graduated 
from NorthWood High School in 1991.
  Following college, Officer Bradway moved to the Indianapolis area 
where he joined the Wayne Township Fire Department. He served for 10 
years, and while there, he met the love of his life, Jamie, who worked 
at the Department as an Emergency Medical Technician. They married and 
had two children, Jonathan and Sierra.
  Officer Bradway was a highly decorated policeman who served on the 
IMPD for 5 years. In February 2012, he received the Medal of Bravery, 
with which he was honored for apprehending a man who was wielding a 
knife and threatening others.
  In addition to his service to his fellow citizens, Rod was an active 
supporter of animal rescue efforts. He and his wife traveled to Moore, 
OK, following the deadly tornado of May 2013 to help locate and gather 
displaced pets. Together, they delivered hundreds of pounds of pet 
food, crates, leashes, and other supplies for pets or local animal 
shelters.
  Officer Bradway is survived and deeply missed by his wife Jamie; his 
son Jonathan; daughter Sierra; his parents Thomas and Sheri Bradway; 
brother Chip (Shelley) Bradway; mother and father-in-law Teresa and 
Ronald Gentry; sister-in-law Jaclyn (Donald) Gentry; nieces Ella 
Bradway and Kaylee Millard; nephew Conner Millard; as well as many 
other relatives and friends, the IMPD family, the Wayne Township Fire 
Department family, and Hoosiers throughout the State.
  Officer Bradway loved his work, and he gave his life to serve and 
protect the Citizens of Indianapolis. Although he would have never 
thought of himself as a hero, Officer Bradway demonstrated his 
character daily by conducting himself with courage, bravery, 
compassion, honor, and integrity. Thus, he was a true American hero--in 
his everyday life as a police officer, husband and father--and in his 
final call to duty. Let us always remember and emulate the shining 
example this stalwart, modest yet brave man set for us and honor him 
for his selfless commitment to serving his fellow citizens. May God 
welcome him home and give comfort to his family and friends.

                          ____________________