[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9475]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN REMEMBRANCE OF OFFICER ENDY EKPANYA OF THE PEARLAND, TEXAS POLICE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Officer Endy 
Ekpanya of the Pearland, Texas Police Department, who was killed in the 
line of duty on June 12, 2016, when his patrol car was struck by a 
drunk driver as he was responding to a call for assistance.
  Officer Endy Ekpanya was just 30 years old at the end of his watch.
  On behalf of the constituents of the Eighteenth Congressional 
District of Texas that I am privileged to represent, I extend my 
deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of 
Officer Endy Ekpanya.
  President John F. Kennedy stated: ``A man does what he must in spite 
of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and 
pressures, and that is the basis of all human mortality.''
  Officer Endy Ekpanya upheld this lofty standard.
  Endy Ekpanya was born in Nigeria and immigrated to the United States 
with his family in 1996.
  One of the happiest days of his life was August 22, 2012, when he was 
naturalized as a citizen of the greatest nation in the history of the 
world.
  Endy Ekpanya excelled academically, graduating from high school in 
2004, and earning two baccalaureate degrees, in Psychology and 
Sociology, from Hofstra University in 2008.
  After completing his first year of law school at Ave Maria School of 
Law in Naples, Florida, Endy Ekpanya felt a strong calling to serve as 
a law enforcement first responder and changed his program of study to 
Criminal Justice.
  Endy Ekpanya earned his Master of Science degree in Management and 
Criminal Justice Management from the University of Maryland University 
College in 2014 but he did not stop there; he went on to earn his MBA 
from the University of Maryland University College the following year.
  Endy Ekpanya chose to begin his law enforcement career with the 
Pearland Police Department because he wanted to put his knowledge, 
skills, and servant's heart in the service of a medium-sized department 
that had a reputation for excellence and offered the opportunity for 
professional development and career growth.
  Endy Ekpanya joined the Pearland Police Department as a Police Cadet 
in June 2015 and graduated from the Alvin Community College Police 
Academy in December, 2015.
  Endy Ekpanya was sworn in as a police officer with the Pearland 
Police Department on December 10, 2015, successfully completed the 
Field Training Officer Program in May, 2016, and was assigned to Night 
Shift patrol on D Squad.
  Endy Ekpanya had a bright future ahead of him but, sadly, it was cut 
short by his tragic death on June 12, 2016.
  Officer Endy Ekpanya, exemplified the incredible sacrifice that 
police officers make every day when they head out into the community to 
protect and serve their family, friends, and neighbors.
  Officer Endy Ekpanya, who is survived by wife, Lucy Lugo Ekpanya, and 
young son, Julian Ekpanya, leaves to cherish his memory his brothers 
and sisters on the Pearland Police Department and a host of relatives, 
neighbors, and friends whom he loved very much.
  Mr. Speaker, I am at once proud and sad to pay tribute to the memory 
of Officer Endy Ekpanya.
  I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in honor of Officer 
Endy Ekpanya of the Pearland, Texas Police Department.

                          ____________________