[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 949]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


         TRIBUTE TO PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPER LANDON E. WEAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2017

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, we started this week with National Law 
Enforcement Appreciation Day. I appreciate every colleague of mine who 
came to praise our men and women who keep us safe in the most perilous 
of times. The greatest souls of this nation run towards the danger, 
never thinking of themselves, but always ensuring those around them are 
safe. These men and women are our protectors, our guards, our 
stalwarts. And I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greatest in 
our nation, who was senselessly and tragically taken from us too soon.
  Landon Eugene Weaver was a proud son of Pennsylvania. He was born in 
Altoona, and graduated from Central High School in Martinsburg. He 
attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania until he was accepted 
into the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, achieving his 
life-long dream to become a State Trooper. On June 4th last year, he 
married his high school sweetheart Macy at Zion Lutheran Church in 
Williamsburg. Thirteen days later, Trooper Weaver graduated from the 
State Police Academy and was assigned to Troop G of the Pennsylvania 
State Police, Huntingdon Barracks where he proudly swore his life to 
protecting and defending our commonwealth. Like most of us, Landon and 
his wife had big plans for the New Year and their life ahead. They were 
going to buy a house and start a family together. Landon was going to 
continue doing the only job he has ever wanted to do--protect his 
community as a Pennsylvania State Trooper.
  Mr. Speaker, Trooper Weaver's short watch came to an end on December 
30, 2016, just 49 days after his 23rd birthday. Trooper Weaver was 
responding to a domestic incident in Juniata Township, Huntingdon 
County, when he was shot and killed. He died doing what he did every 
day, trying to make life for others a little bit better and a little 
bit safer than the day before.
  Last Thursday, January 5th, was Landon's funeral. It was here, Mr. 
Speaker, where the true magnitude of our community's loss could be felt 
the most. His wife Macy, now a young widow, was forced to say farewell 
to her best friend and husband. Landon's parents had to do the hardest 
thing a parent ever has to do: put their son to rest. More than 1,000 
law enforcement officers from around the nation, representing virtually 
every state, attended Trooper Weaver's funeral to say goodbye to their 
brother. Police uniforms of every color and squad cars of every design 
followed Trooper Weaver, lights flashing, to escort him to his final 
resting place in Martinsburg.
  Trooper Weaver lived up to the call of honor of the Pennsylvania 
State Police, which states:

       I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a soldier of the law. To 
     me is entrusted the honor of the force. I must serve 
     honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as 
     others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path 
     of duty. It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it 
     without any consideration of class, color, creed or 
     condition. It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who 
     may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct 
     myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.

  My prayers are with Trooper Weaver's family, and the entire region 
that is struggling to make sense of this loss. Rest easy, Trooper, and 
may God bless every man and woman in the law enforcement community.

                          ____________________