Recognizing Chief Reed Baer on His Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. HARRIGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hickory Police Chief Reed Baer of North Carolina's 10th District, who is retiring this summer after more than 30 years of dedicated service.

Chief Baer spent his entire career serving the entire community that he grew up in. He started with the department in 1997 as a patrol officer and worked his way all the way up, from sergeant, to captain, to deputy chief, and eventually to chief in 2023.

Under his leadership, the department focused on officer wellness, training, and building stronger ties with his community. He also helped create new pathways into the profession for young people in the area.

He has been a steady presence in Hickory for a long time, and his impact will be felt well beyond his time in uniform. I thank him for his service and wish him all the best in his retirement. Honoring Jake Bridges

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Mr. HARRIGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a young man from North Carolina's 10th District, firefighter Jake Bridges of Hickory, who died while serving his community.

Jake was just 20 years old. He was born in Cleveland County, raised in Shelby, and graduated from Burns High School in 2023. Not long after that, he joined the Hickory Fire Department as a certified firefighter and EMT.

He hadn't been on the job long, but you wouldn't have known it. He showed up ready to work, ready to serve, and ready to make a difference.

Jake was a man of faith. He loved the Atlanta Braves, loved playing golf, and more than anything, he loved being a firefighter.

His loss is a tough one for Hickory, for the department, and for everyone who knew him. My heart goes out to his mom, his family, and his brothers and sisters in uniform.

He was proud to serve, and we will be proud to remember him.

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