James Davis: “James Brad Crooks, a brand new highway patrol trooper in Florida engaged to be married; Randy Bell, a Tampa police…”

“James Brad Crooks, a brand new highway patrol trooper in Florida engaged to be married; Randy Bell, a Tampa police detective, a 20-year veteran of the force described as a hard worker with quiet ambition; Rick Childers, a Tampa Police Department detective, another 20-year veteran, who in 1990 bravely went into a creek and saved a young girl who was drowning in a car. These law enforcement officers have solved hundreds of cases, saved many lives in the Tampa Bay area that I represent. Yesterday, each of them died in the line of duty at the hands of a gunman who later took his own life and also at a time when his 4-year-old stepson died under questionable circumstances. I stand here on the floor of the House today to express our sorrow to the families of these 3 slain law enforcement officers, to express gratitude for their lifetime commitment they made to protect our community and to salute them for their efforts, and to say that we will try to learn from the terrible lessons of this terrific tragedy that struck the Tampa Bay area yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with all of their colleagues who are grieving.”