[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8461]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING CHIEF LOUIS DIRKER FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE IN LAW 
                              ENFORCEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID P. JOYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2014

  Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Stow Police Chief 
Louis Dirker on his retirement following 40 years of service in Ohio 
law enforcement.
  Chief Dirker is an outstanding leader, father, and public servant who 
dedicated himself to serving the people of Northeast Ohio as well as 
our nation. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he served as a 
First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
  In 1974, Chief Dirker started with the Cuyahoga Falls Police 
Department, retiring as chief in 2001. He then served for two years as 
deputy director of safety and security for Cleveland Municipal Schools 
before he was hired in February 2003 as chief of police for the City of 
Stow.
  In addition to earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from the 
University of Akron, Chief Dirker graduated from the FBI National 
Academy in 2000. He was named a certified law enforcement executive by 
the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police in 2006 and has served as 
board president for Metro SWAT since 2005.
  As an instructor at the University of Akron and Kent State 
University, Chief Dirker has shown a dedication to training the next 
generation of law enforcement leaders.
  Chief and Mrs. Dirker have six children, several of whom have also 
pursued their own careers in law enforcement. Chief Dirker remains an 
active member of Rotary, Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of 
Columbus, American Legion, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and 
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 14th District of Ohio, I congratulate 
Chief Dirker on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his 
lifelong service to Northeast Ohio and our nation.

                          ____________________