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“HONORING OFFICER RODNEY CHAMBERS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E730 on May 4, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING OFFICER RODNEY CHAMBERS
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HON. CORRINE BROWN
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to a true American hero, Officer Rodney Chambers, who without thought for his own safety, risked his life to save others from harm. Officer Chambers has been chosen to receive the prestigious Officer of the Year Award from the Amtrak Police Department because of his selfless heroism and courage, and I am proud to join them in saluting his bravery.
On June 9, 2003, Officer Chambers was on patrol in Washington's Union Station when he was dispatched to respond to a call for service from Union Station. Security reporting that a male put a grenade in a trash receptacle. Officer Chambers responded to First Street where a Union Station security officer identified the suspect. Capitol Police Officer Michael DeCarlo joined Officer Chambers in pursuit of the suspect. Officer Chambers came upon the suspect and instructed him to put his hands on the wall. The suspect removed a piece of clothing that he was holding and revealed a grenade. He then pulled the pin and attempted to drop the grenade.
Officer Chambers reacted immediately by pinning the suspect against the wall while wrestling the grenade away from him, holding the spoon and fuse from priming. At this time, Officer DeCarlo arrived on the scene and assisted in controlling the suspect.
As the suspect was being taken into custody by police officers, Officer Chambers along with his Sergeant removed himself to a safe distance from the area of onlookers while continuing to hold down the spoon on the grenade. Officer Chambers maintained his position for approximately 15 minutes while waiting for the arrival of the EOD team. During this period of time, a search revealed a second grenade.
The Capitol Police EOD responded and placed both grenades in an isolation chamber. Ultimately, both grenades were found to be inactive and filled with a gel-like substance. However, during the period of time Officer Chambers spent with the grenade he had no way of knowing this.
Officer Chambers was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Amtrak Police Department on November 10, 2003; a Resolution from Amtrak's Board of Directors on June 12, 2003; the Officer of the Month Award from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund; and the Department of Transportation Award for heroism from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta and Federal Railroad Administrator Allan Rutter on October 21, 2003.
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