Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) presented official copies of his statement in the Congressional Record to both the family of Officer Kevin Tonn and the Galt Police Department honoring his life and contributions to the community yesterday.
Officer Tonn, 35, was shot and killed on Jan. 15 when he went to question a possible suspect who fit the description of a burglar. Authorities say the gunman, 30-year-old Humphrey Kenneth Gascon Jr., then shot and killed himself. Tonn was a K-9 handler with the Galt Police Department. Before that, he was a firefighter; he also served in the military.
Here is the text of his statement from the Congressional Record
Honoring Slain Police Officer Kevin Tonn
It is with great sadness that I make this statement today to recognize the life and service of police officer Kevin Tonn. Officer Tonn served in the Galt police department for three years, protecting a community in California that I am honored to represent. Tragically, Officer Tonn was killed in the line of duty this past week while pursuing a crime suspect.
Officer Tonn was the perfect example of a model citizen. As a teenager who grew up in Roseville, California, he joined the Roseville Police Explorers; after he graduated high school, he joined the U.S. Army as a military police officer. Officer Tonn also served as a firefighter in New York before returning to California to join the Sacramento Sherriff’s Academy. In 2009, he was sworn into the Galt police force as a K-9 officer. Kevin Tonn’s character and selfless commitment to his fellow citizens is evidenced by his years of service, working in multiple capacities and uniforms.
Anyone who encountered Officer Tonn was impressed by his integrity, his ability to use humor to diffuse difficult situations, and his dedication to serving the community, especially our younger citizens. The Galt community was fortunate to have such a dedicated individual, and his memory will live on. It is never easy to lose a loved one, but my thoughts and prayers are with his family and the community at this difficult time, as I know the nation has lost a true American hero.
