[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14063]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING OFFICERS ANGEL PADILLA AND PETER HAMMER OF THE LINDEN POLICE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officers Angel Padilla 
and Peter Hammer of the Linden Police Department in Linden, New Jersey 
for their role in the apprehension of the New Jersey-New York bombing 
suspect.
  Just days after we observed the 15th anniversary of the September 
11th terrorist attacks, multiple bombs were planted in New York City 
and in Seaside Park and Elizabeth, New Jersey.
  On Monday, September 19, 2016, local law enforcement in my district 
apprehended the bombing suspect, Ahmad Khan Rahami, but not before a 
shootout injured two brave police officers, Angel Padilla and Peter 
Hammer.
  That day, Padilla and Hammer were among officers who responded to a 
call of a man sleeping in the entrance of a tavern in Linden.
  As he approached Rahami, whom he recognized as the bombing suspect, 
Padilla was shot in the torso. Fortunately, Padilla was wearing his 
bulletproof vest when he was struck.
  During the shootout, Hammer, a 22-year veteran of the department, was 
hit in the head by bullet shrapnel.
  Thankfully, both officers are expected to make full recoveries.
  It is undeniable that Officers Padilla and Hammer, as well as the 
other officers involved in the apprehension of Rahami, are heroes.
  They pursued the suspect not knowing whether he was armed or worse, 
putting themselves in harm's way to protect their community. Thanks to 
their outstanding work, Rahami was apprehended, our community was kept 
safe, and no lives were lost.
  On behalf of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District, I extend 
Officers Padilla and Hammer my deepest appreciation for their service 
and courage. I am honored to have such dedicated and selfless police 
officers serving in my district.

                          ____________________