[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING MELVIN SANTIAGO

 Mr. BOOKER. Madam President, it is with a heavy heart that I 
pay tribute to a young New Jersey police officer who gave his life in 
the line of duty on Sunday, July 13.
  Officer Melvin Santiago was born and raised in Jersey City, New 
Jersey's second largest city. As a child, he dreamed of following in 
the footsteps of his uncle, an officer in the city's police department. 
That dream came true last December, when he graduated from the police 
academy, and it ended tragically early Sunday morning, when he was 
ambushed and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call. He 
was only 23 years old.
  Officer Santiago is described by his friends and family as having 
been full of life, with an easy smile and a gift for making others 
laugh. He is a source of pride for his parents, mother Cathy and 
stepfather Alex, and a role model for his younger brother and cousins. 
Officer Santiago was committed to being the best police officer he 
could be, and he quickly earned the respect of his fellow officers by 
volunteering to work in the West District--one of Jersey City's 
toughest neighborhoods--because he wanted to serve where he was most 
needed. According to his family, he savored every moment of the last 7 
months, thrilled to be doing what he loved.
  Officer Santiago's courage, spirit of service, and commitment to his 
community will be long remembered by those he protected and for whom he 
gave his life. As we recognize Officer Santiago's tremendous sacrifice, 
I ask that the Senate join with this courageous officer's family, 
friends, fellow Jersey City Police Department personnel, the Jersey 
City community, and the State of New Jersey in mourning the loss of 
this extraordinary young man.

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