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Floor Speech

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Mr. COTTON. Madam President, today, I join Senator Boozman with a heavy heart to mourn the death of a young patriot and a selfless public servant.

Last month, Jeremiah Story, a member of the Arkansas National Guard and a correctional officer at the Perry County Sheriff's Office, died in the line of duty. Officer Story was only 21 years old. He worked at the Perry County Detention Center and hoped to one day become a State trooper.

He was known as an infectious source of joy among his friends and within his community, always uplifting those who needed cheering up and including those who felt left out. He was a devoted Christian who encouraged everyone to go to church and who shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. And he loved America, joining the Army National Guard as soon as he graduated from high school. Jeremiah Story was the type of selfless servant every young person should aspire to be.

Three weeks ago, Officer Story was in the process of booking a drug criminal at the Perry County Detention Center when the criminal pulled out a concealed pistol and shot Officer Story in the chest. He died soon thereafter at a Conway hospital, and the coward who shot him is now charged with capital murder, as he should be.

His murderer didn't get away with anything, didn't gain anything, didn't escape--nothing for this evil deed. He only snuffed out a bright, young, wonderful life.

He should know, and every criminal in our State should know, that justice will be rendered for this awful slaying.

In the aftermath of Officer Story's death, hundreds of Arkansans have come together to remember his life and mourn his loss. Among those who attended candlelight vigils for this special young man were the inmates at the Perry County Detention Center. The chaplain of the detention center said Officer Story was ``loved by a lot of different people, not just outside but inside.'' He added that he had used Officer Story as an ``example setter'' for the inmates for the kind of citizen and man they could aspire to be if they turned their lives around.

Officer Story's example lives on. Those who knew him, those who have just now heard of him, can draw inspiration for a life well lived. In 21 short years, Officer Story did more good and spread more joy than many others who have been blessed with many more years on this Earth.

He was a great Arkansan and a great American. May God bless and keep Officer Jeremiah Story, and may God console his family and friends in this time of grief.

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