[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOSIP PEPERNI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn and observe the 
passing of a hardworking public servant, Lieutenant Josip Peperni, who 
departed from this earth on November 16, 2021. Josip was nearing 20 
years of leadership with the police department of Norwich, Connecticut 
when he unfortunately passed at the all too young age of 57. Josip was 
an indescribable positive force in the Town of Norwich, and his loss is 
a particularly sensitive one to the communities of eastern Connecticut.
  Born across seas in Bradina, Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Balkans to 
Kazimir and Reljka Peperni, Josip immigrated to the United States at an 
early age, gaining the opportunity to establish roots of his own. In 
achieving that purpose, Josip transitioned to and lived as a longtime 
community member of southeastern Connecticut, gravitating toward a 
fulfilling career as a policeman. Though he held several essential 
roles during his loyal tenure as an officer with the Norwich Police 
Department--working as a school resource officer, within the 
department's crisis intervention team, and as a K-9 patrol officer--
Josip Peperni was most recently promoted to the role of Lieutenant in 
2018, overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Department's patrol 
unit. Joe utilized his position as Lieutenant as a resource to connect 
with the Town's community members, ensuring that Norwich Police 
portrayed an accessible and communicable brand. His incredibly 
approachable nature and guiding principle of treating everyone with 
equal respect helped him succeed in this mission. It is for these prime 
reasons that his intimate presence will be so sorely missed.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to represent constituents like 
Josip, who has reflected the continued strength of the American story 
by making the hard choice to immigrate to our nation, not just for 
opportunity but to also become intertwined with our communities. Though 
his loss is great, we should find solace in his work to contribute to 
that story, ensuring that it lives on through his surviving family, 
many of whom are now thriving members of their own communities within 
the State of Connecticut--his wife, Katie, his children: Nikita, Dakota 
Peperni and his wife Stephanie, and Kayla, grandchild Mya, and siblings 
Olivera and Karolina. Josip's legacy and compassionate character will 
also be remembered by his colleagues at the Norwich Police Department 
and the countless community members whose lives have been touched by 
his example. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this Chamber 
join me in appreciating Josip's story and successes, expressing our 
condolences to the Peperni family and extending the reach of Josip's 
memory by setting it into stone.

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