[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 31 (Thursday, February 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            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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