CONGRATULATING JERRY GACHETT ON HIS RETIREMENT

CONGRATULATING JERRY GACHETT ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)] [House] [Pages H775-H776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING JERRY GACHETT ON HIS RETIREMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes) for 5 minutes. Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a dedicated and true public servant, Detective Jerry Gachett, who is retiring from the Akron Police Department. I am honored to be standing here today talking about a man who has served the Akron community so humbly for over 31 years and who I am proud to call a friend. Jerry was born in Alabama and raised in Akron, where he graduated from the John R. Buchtell High School in 1985. He then bravely served this country in the United States Army for 4 years. For the last 31 years, Jerry has served our community as a member of the Akron Police Department. He has worked as a hostage negotiator. He worked in the financial crimes unit. Jerry also worked for 21 years as a juvenile detective, where he investigated crimes against children. Throughout his distinguished career, Detective Gachett has played a pivotal role of securing justice with his investigations, leading to the imprisonment of hundreds of child predators, solidifying his reputation as a champion for the community's most vulnerable. Jerry is one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. In fact, throughout his career, he has taken the care to truly get to know the victims and survivors who he has been sworn to protect and serve. He has been to countless basketball games, baby showers and more, to celebrate the survivors who he cares so deeply for. He even walked one of the people he supported down the aisle at her wedding. In fact, my husband and I met Jerry when we hired him to secure our wedding when MAGA protesters threatened our very precious and sacred event. Jerry has always put the people of our community first, and his deep desire to serve his community is an inspiration to all who have had the opportunity to experience his passion for [[Page H776]] protecting our community's most vulnerable. In addition to his law enforcement career, Detective Gachett is an ordained minister and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He is also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. No one deserves retirement more than Jerry, but I know that he won't be retiring for real, as he has been sworn into the APD Reserves. I am sure we will continue to see him serving our community in his own special way. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate and thank Detective Jerry Gachett on a storied career at the Akron Police Department and for over 31 years of outstanding service and devotion to our community and our country. ____________________