[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SERGEANT ANTHONY BEMINIO

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, early this month, in my home State of 
Iowa, a tragedy took place that shocked our entire State. On Wednesday, 
November 2, 2016, the lives of Des Moines Police Sergeant Anthony 
Beminio and Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin were taken at the 
hands of an assailant. It is almost unimaginable for somebody to attack 
the people who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. 
Unfortunately, it is a threat all too familiar for everybody who has a 
family member in law enforcement. Just after 1 a.m. on November 2, 
police responded to a report of shots fired and discovered that Officer 
Martin was shot and killed in his car while he was on duty. A short 
while later, Sergeant Anthony Beminio was found shot and killed in his 
car. He was believed to have been responding to the report of shots 
fired when he was killed by the lone assailant who moments earlier had 
allegedly killed Officer Martin. Police do not have a motive for the 
shootings.
  Nothing excuses the unforgivable act of attacking a police officer. I 
praise these heroes who gave their lives carrying out their mission to 
protect and serve.
  Sergeant Anthony ``Tony'' Beminio joined the Des Moines police force 
in 2005, after serving with the Indianola Police Department for 4 
years. By all accounts, he was a talented athlete, a great detective, 
and he will be remembered by his friends as a professional man who was 
always smiling. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from 
Simpson College in 2001 and then a master's of science degree from the 
University of Cincinnati prior to becoming a police officer.
  Sergeant Beminio took after his father, Frank Beminio, who served as 
a member of the Belmond Police Department for 17 years, 8 of which were 
as chief of police. As a school resource officer at Roosevelt and East 
high schools, Tony was cherished by students and faculty. It takes a 
special kind of person to be a school resource officer, and Tony was an 
outstanding role model who had a good relationship with the students he 
served.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant 
Beminio in this difficult time. I want to express my deepest 
condolences to Sergeant Beminio's wife, Zoe; his three children, 
Cameron, Haley, and Maddoz; and his parents, Patricia and Frank 
Beminio.
  These trying times serve as a reminder to show our appreciation to 
those who watch over our communities and run to danger. We can look to 
the words of wisdom from an Iowa mother who lost her son, Officer 
Carlos Puente-Morales, in the line of duty earlier this year. As she 
said, ``We shouldn't wait for a tragedy to recognize our heroes.'' We 
should all live by this sentiment and show appreciation to the brave 
men and women who walk in the footsteps of Sergeant Beminio and Officer 
Martin to protect and serve our communities across the country.

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