[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DETECTIVE SERGEANT THOMAS TROMMELEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Detective 
Sergeant Thomas Trommelen who, after 30 years of service to the City of 
Paterson as Supervisor of the Paterson Police Department's Special 
Investigations Unit, is being honored for his retirement celebration 
tonight on Friday, February 27, 2015.
  A native son of Paterson, Detective Sergeant Trommelen has devoted 
his career to serving the community that raised him, most notably 
serving as Detective Sergeant in the Special Investigations Unit.
  A graduate of Paterson's Don Bosco Technical High School, Detective 
Sergeant Trommelen first pursued his passion for public service as an 
emergency medical technician for Paterson's Fire Department. After 
displaying exemplary valor serving those in critical need, Detective 
Sergeant Trommelen was appointed as a Patrolman for the Passaic County 
Park Police Department and then, on November 4, 1985, found his true 
calling as a Patrolman with the Paterson Police Department.
  During his time as a Patrolman for the Paterson Police Department, 
Detective Sergeant Trommelen strived to uphold the department's 
mission, which is, ``to preserve the peace and to protect and serve all 
who live or work in, as well as those who travel through, our city and 
in so doing, make a meaningful contribution to the quality of life in 
our community.'' Detective Sergeant Trommelen's enthusiasm for public 
service and extraordinary work ethic in the Patrol Division prompted 
him to be assigned a permanent position to Paterson's Narcotics 
Division, a move that would greatly benefit the City of Paterson over 
the next three decades. Tasked with addressing the city's vice issues, 
Detective Sergeant Trommelen proved to be a formidable force within the 
department, receiving commendations, awards and respect amongst his 
colleagues and peers alike. He has also served at the Passaic County 
Prosecutor's Office as an `Expert Witness' in the area of narcotics 
enforcement working with the DEA, FBI and other Federal Agencies in 
combating the plague of narcotics in and around the City of Paterson.
  Residing in Clifton, Detective Sergeant Trommelen has been married to 
this wife Joann for 25 years and they have two adult children, Alyssa 
and Tommy. Detective Sergeant Trommelen and his family sustained a life 
changing event in December of 1997 when he lost his older brother John, 
a Port Authority Police Officer, to a heart attack. However, he took 
tragedy and turned it into a positive force through serving his 
community, the Knights of Columbus and St. Phillips the Apostle Parish, 
for many years. Just in the past few years, he has solicited the 
donation, managed the collection of and organized the distribution of 
thousands of jackets and pairs of shoes for Paterson's children.
  As Co-Chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I am honored 
to acknowledge Detective Sergeant Trommelen who has been a tremendous 
leader, mentor, and public servant in my hometown of Paterson. There is 
no doubt, in the minds of his family, friends and colleagues that the 
civic minded Detective Sergeant Trommelen will continue to `Serve & 
Protect' for many years to come.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
achievements of individuals such as Detective Sergeant Thomas 
Trommelen.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Sgt. Trommelen's 
coworkers, family and friends, all those whose lives he has touched, 
and me, in recognizing the career of Detective Sergeant Thomas 
Trommelen.

                          ____________________