HONORING TROOPER JOHN MARTIN HARRIS
Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 99
(Senate - June 8, 2021) PDF
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I rise to pay tribute to
Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Martin Harris, who was killed
in the line of duty on May 28, 2021. Harris was conducting a routine
traffic stop on Highway 16 in Madison County when a vehicle struck and
killed him. I honor Trooper Harris' service, extend my deepest
condolences to his family, and reiterate my unwavering support for our
law enforcement personnel.
A Clarksdale native, Harris knew from a young age he wanted to serve
his community as a law enforcement officer. Trooper Harris began his
law enforcement career in 1997 in Webb, MS. He earned his first Law
Enforcement Purple Heart while serving on the police force in Friars
Point and earned a second Purple Heart while serving at the Madison
County Sheriff's Office. Harris then continued his career at the
Richland Police Department. In 2018, Harris achieved his lifelong dream
of becoming a Mississippi Highway Patrolman and graduated from Trooper
School as part of Cadet Class No. 62. In addition to the Purple Heart
medals, Harris received dozens of awards, too numerous to mention here,
for valor and bravery. Several were commendations for his work on
narcotics teams and with K-9 units.
Trooper Harris is survived by his wife Katie Parker Harris of
Madison, his two children Parker and Cooper, and his parents Jean and
Jimmy Harris of Clarksdale. I send my deepest sympathies to his family
and to all who knew him. May God grant them comfort, grace, and peace
in these unspeakably difficult times.
Law enforcement officers across our Nation face many challenges in
their mission to protect and serve. Trooper Harris's death shows us
that our law enforcement officers face tremendous danger to ensure
public safety, and I greatly admire those who remain steadfast amiss
the dangers of their noble profession. Let us commemorate Trooper
Harris's life by redoubling our commitment to support and advocate for
those in law enforcement. I will continue to honor the legacy of
Trooper Harris and all of those officers who have lost their life in
the line of duty by doing all I can to support our law enforcement
officers.