[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1163-E1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF OFFICER THOMAS PYRCZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a 
remarkable person and protector of the people, Officer Thomas ``Tommy'' 
Pyrcz of Enfield, Connecticut. Officer Pyrcz was only 66 when he passed 
away suddenly on December 2nd, 2020 at the Enfield Police Department, 
an institution he served in one capacity or another for 50 years. He 
was a lifelong resident of the town of Enfield, Connecticut.
  It is hard to think of a man more devoted to their local community 
than Tommy Pyrcz. Always true to his town, drawn to public safety,

[[Page E1164]]

he took the initiative to join the Enfield chapter of Police Explorers 
before even graduating from Enrico Fermi High School in 1972. He was 
regularly and rightfully rewarded for his devoted service after 
graduating--first becoming an auxiliary officer, then an assistant dog 
warden, and police dispatcher. Each and every one of these positions 
ultimately prepared him to join the force as a full patrol officer in 
1979.
  Thomas Pyrcz's career at his town's police department would continue 
on for another 40 years. During those 40 years, he went on to serve as 
a leader of the police department's accreditation team for 20 years, 
working with his colleagues to hone their skills and build upon the 
mission of strengthening the standards exemplified by the Enfield 
Police Department and its officers. This work not only infused new 
techniques and technology to improve public safety, but also infused 
the community values that reflect the town of Enfield. The high quality 
of his work was recognized across the state when he was named Vice 
President of the Connecticut Police Accreditation Coalition in 2013, 
advancing standards in policing across the state. After a long career 
spanning 50 years, he retired from the department in August of last 
year.
  Officer Pyrcz service to his community did not end with retirement. 
After ``pulling the pin'' from uniformed service, he quickly returned 
to his work as a civilian accreditation manager in October 2019. His 
sudden loss leaves a deeply felt void at the Enfield Police Department.
  Madam Speaker, Thomas Pyrcz represents what it should mean to be a 
police officer: an integral member of one's community. At a funeral 
service at Enfield's St. Adalbert's Church family, friends and former 
colleagues such as former Chief Carl Sferrazza and current Chief Alaric 
Fox spoke movingly of his life of caring and giving. His life should be 
an example to all. Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing the 
deepest condolences of the U.S. House of Representatives to Officer 
Thomas Pyrcz's wife Lynn, his children Steven and Julie and our hope 
that the outpouring of affection and appreciation from the community 
gives them some solace.

                          ____________________