[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 2014 MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the brave 
men and women of the Michigan law enforcement community who were 
recently awarded the 2014 Police Officers of the Year award by the 
Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM), which represents over 
14,000 frontline officers across the state. As part of the 47th annual 
POAM convention that was held on May 22, 2014 in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, five officers were recognized for recent heroic actions and 
dedication to their work.
  I would first like to honor Southfield Police Officer Nicholas 
Smiscik who, on New Year's Day 2013, bravely pursued an armed carjacker 
who shot and injured two people in Redford Township.
  Officer Smiscik subdued the dangerous suspect and placed him under 
arrest. During his acceptance speech at the POAM convention Officer 
Smiscik stated that he was simply ``doing his job.'' I want to thank 
him for his service and for risking his life to keep our communities 
safe. I am honored to have him as a constituent in my District.
  I would also like to recognize Crawford County Officers Matthew Swope 
and Michael Jacobi, who were honored as Police Officers of the Year for 
putting their lives on the line while apprehending a dangerous 
individual who was deemed a proven threat to the community.
  In addition, Grand Blanc Officers Andrea Carlson and Lindsay Witthuhn 
were honored with the 2014 Police Officers of the Year award for acting 
with great bravery and discipline when responding to a domestic 
disturbance and preventing a far more tragic outcome.
  Mr. Speaker, as a long-time friend, supporter and ally of the 
Michigan law enforcement community, I am proud to recognize the 
commitment of Michigan's police officers and the sacrifices they and 
their families make each and every day. Like Officer Smiscik, they will 
say they are just doing their job, but their dedication and bravery in 
the line of duty make our communities safe and enjoyable places to 
live.
  It is a great honor to represent these heroic men and women and I 
invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating all five 
Michigan officers on receiving this award.

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