On the recordMarch 2, 2022
Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Sergeant Marlene R. Rittmanic, a 21-year veteran of law enforcement who was fatally shot and passed away on December 30, 2021, while serving in the line of duty. Sergeant Rittmanic started her remarkable career at the Iroquois County Sheriff's Police Department, serving 7 years before transferring to the Bradley Police Department in 2007, for the last 14 years. Throughout her years of protecting and serving, Sergeant Rittmanic received the Officer of the Year Award for Kankakee County and countless letters of commendation for her service to the community. She will be remembered by her colleagues as a model officer and someone who looked forward to making memories with her fellow officers as the department's photographer, posting inspirational and team-building photographs of the officers and the community. Sergeant Rittmanic was not only a dedicated law enforcement officer, but also a devoted wife and citizen who was loved and respected in her community. Sergeant Rittmanic served in the U.S. Army and was a proud disabled veteran. Sergeant Rittmanic, a poet, also penned the prophetic poem, ``The Color We Bleed is That of Deep Blue,'' in 2001. Sergeant Rittmanic was tragically killed in the line of duty while fulfilling her oath to serve and protect the people of the Village of Bradley, IL, and I am grateful for her years of service.…
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