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| Sergeant Christopher Eney |
Thirty years ago, on August 24, 1984, Sergeant Christopher
Eney was taking part in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
exercise when he was accidentally shot and killed by his partner. He was the
first line of duty fatality for the US Capitol Police. He was 37 years old and
had served with the department for more than 12 years.
In 2009, on the 25th
Anniversary of his death, a wreath laying ceremony was conducted at the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, where his name is
carved on the First Panel on the eighth line on the Western Wall.
Anniversary of his death, a wreath laying ceremony was conducted at the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, where his name is
carved on the First Panel on the eighth line on the Western Wall.
Sergeant Eney’s wife is also honored on the wall. Vivian
Eney Cross was not a police officer but a survivor, and used her experiences to
assist her in serving as an advocate for police survivors. When the Memorial
opened on October 15, 1991, Sergeant Eney’s name was unveiled and Ms. Eney
Cross was honored with a quote engraved
underneath the lion located in the Northwest corner of the Memorial, “It is not how these officers died that made
them heroes, it is how they lived.”
Eney Cross was not a police officer but a survivor, and used her experiences to
assist her in serving as an advocate for police survivors. When the Memorial
opened on October 15, 1991, Sergeant Eney’s name was unveiled and Ms. Eney
Cross was honored with a quote engraved
underneath the lion located in the Northwest corner of the Memorial, “It is not how these officers died that made
them heroes, it is how they lived.”
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| The lion located in the Northwest corner of the Memorial |
This quote could easily apply to how Chris Eney lived his
life. Sergeant Eney served as a medic in the US Army with the Green Berets. He
then served with the House Plainclothes Division of the US Capitol Police and
the CERT team in Washington DC. He advanced to the position of supervisor and quickly
garnered a reputation of being one the best supervisors on the department. Jack
DeWolfe, a co-worker of Sergeant Eney’s at the USCP, described Chris was always
working tirelessly and “always striv[ing] to get the best out of his team
members each day.” He acted as a role model for his superiors and never asked
anyone to do something that he wouldn’t do himself.
life. Sergeant Eney served as a medic in the US Army with the Green Berets. He
then served with the House Plainclothes Division of the US Capitol Police and
the CERT team in Washington DC. He advanced to the position of supervisor and quickly
garnered a reputation of being one the best supervisors on the department. Jack
DeWolfe, a co-worker of Sergeant Eney’s at the USCP, described Chris was always
working tirelessly and “always striv[ing] to get the best out of his team
members each day.” He acted as a role model for his superiors and never asked
anyone to do something that he wouldn’t do himself.
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| USCP Blue Badge Medal |
Despite the tragedy of his untimely death, Sergeant Eney’s
concern for others and his love of life was carried on by his family. During
his funeral, his widow and two daughters were more concerned about his
co-workers, which was extremely surprising the co-workers since they were expecting
to comfort the family, rather than to be comforted themselves.
concern for others and his love of life was carried on by his family. During
his funeral, his widow and two daughters were more concerned about his
co-workers, which was extremely surprising the co-workers since they were expecting
to comfort the family, rather than to be comforted themselves.
Sergeant Eney was posthumously honored with the USCP Blue
Badge Medal in recognition of his courage, dedication, and sacrifice. In addition,
the Chamber Training Venue within the Capitol Police’s Practical Applications
Center in Cheltenham, MD was named after Sergeant Eney following the 25th
anniversary of his death.
Badge Medal in recognition of his courage, dedication, and sacrifice. In addition,
the Chamber Training Venue within the Capitol Police’s Practical Applications
Center in Cheltenham, MD was named after Sergeant Eney following the 25th
anniversary of his death.
As we remember 30th anniversary of Sergeant
Eney’s death, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the service and
sacrifice that he and all other fallen officers have made. Sergeant Eney’s
spirit is carried on today in Vivian Eney Cross’s work as an advocate, and in
the memories of his friends and coworkers.
Eney’s death, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the service and
sacrifice that he and all other fallen officers have made. Sergeant Eney’s
spirit is carried on today in Vivian Eney Cross’s work as an advocate, and in
the memories of his friends and coworkers.