The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF PATRICK DRAGON
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of dedicated and heroic public servant, Patrick Dragon, of Brooklyn, Connecticut. Mr. Dragon passed, at only age 50, on January 2, 2021, after a courageous battle with coronavirus.
A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Connecticut, Patrick was drawn to serve his community through public safety. Entering public service at early age, he began as an Emergency Medical Technician and then joined the 107th Training Troop of the Connecticut State Police. Upon graduation in January 1998, Patrick returned to his local community serving as a Patrol Trooper at Troop D in nearby Danielson, then as the Resident State Trooper in Sterling, and a Major Crime Unit Detective. Always wanting to do more, he also became a certified Fire Investigator/Fire Marshal with the State Police's Fire & Explosion Unit. It was through this assignment that Patrick acted as first responder to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
That horrific day transformed the lives of many Americans, including Mr. Dragon's. In the years following the tragedy, he found healing through service to a new community--his peers in law enforcement through the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP). This unique peer-led program brought together law enforcement professionals who have experienced unbelievable traumas while on duty. Patrick sincerely committed himself to this program, serving as a peer leader and mentor, working with over 250 emotionally and physically traumatized law enforcement professionals from around the country. VALEAP administrators commended Mr. Dragon for his service and have noted that his passing will leave an ``immeasurable void'' within the program.
Although he had overcome immeasurable challenges--Patrick's motivation for service to his community never wavered. Upon retirement from the State Police in 2018 he transitioned into a new role as an emergency dispatcher with the Foster Police Department in the neighboring State of Rhode Island. Amazingly, during that entire 34 years of police work he was also a dedicated member of the East Brooklyn Fire Department, serving most recently as deputy chief.
Mr. Dragon's loss leaves a deep void from Eastern Connecticut all the way to Virginia and beyond. His dedication to both local community and fellow officer has made the State of Connecticut more safe and his workforce more whole.
Madam Speaker, knowing of Patrick Dragon's selfless service and how he has responded to unimaginable tragedy, it is objective to state his work represents the best of law enforcement. I hope the chamber will join me in expressing the deepest condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives to the Dragon family--his parents Robert and Ann Marie; older sister Michele Hearn and younger brother Jason Dragon. I hope this testament to Patrick's life serves as an acknowledgement of the immeasurable debt of gratitude owed to him by the American people.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 31
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