[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12858-12859]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING TIM BRACKEEN

  Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the memory of Tim 
Brackeen, a K-9 police officer with the Shelby Police Department in 
North Carolina. Officer Brackeen was tragically killed after succumbing 
to gunshot wounds he sustained in the line of duty just last week.
  On September 10, 2016, Officer Brackeen was doing what he did every 
day--going to work, trying to put his life in the way of others to keep 
them safe. He said good-bye to his wife and his family, and he went to 
work.
  Unfortunately, on that day, in the middle of the night, Officer 
Brackeen responded to a call to bring a wanted robbery suspect into 
custody. Officer Brackeen attempted to arrest the suspect. The suspect 
resisted and opened fire, critically wounding Officer Brackeen.
  The people of North Carolina and citizens from across the Nation 
prayed for Officer Brackeen and his family as he received treatment. 
Unfortunately, on Monday, we heard the tragic news that Officer 
Brackeen, only 38 years old, had passed away.
  When we lost Officer Brackeen, we lost more than a dedicated K-9 
officer who had served the Shelby Police Department for 13 years. Above 
all else, we lost a devoted husband to his wife Mikel and a loving 
father to his 4-year-old daughter. He was well known as a loving family 
man and was deeply respected and admired for the dedication he had to 
the department and the community which he served. Many had the chance 
to meet Officer Brackeen during a class or seminar he held with his K-9 
partner called Ciko. He was honored as Shelby police officer of the 
year in 2012.
  For anyone in this country who has ever had a trace of doubt over the 
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character and motivation of the vast majority of brave men and women in 
law enforcement, Officer Tim Brackeen was exactly the kind of officer 
who would instantly erase any of those doubts when you met him.
  As Officer Brackeen's family, friends, and colleagues mourn this 
tragic loss, I hope they find comfort in knowing that his death was not 
in vain. The outpouring of love that we have seen in his honor has been 
tremendous.
  On the night of Officer Brackeen's death, hundreds of people came 
together in Shelby to hold a vigil outside the police department. 
Attendees adorned his patrol car with flowers and candles. Shelby 
police officers all received a standing ovation, and the crowd came 
together to sing ``Amazing Grace.'' That symbolizes the profound impact 
that Tim Brackeen had on people's lives and how grateful they are for 
his selfless service to the community of Shelby.
  May God bless Officer Tim Brackeen's family and friends and give them 
strength in these difficult times. Let them know that the community of 
Shelby, the people of North Carolina, and Americans from across the 
Nation will continue to pray for them and stand with them during this 
difficult time.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Indiana.

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