[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 48 YEARS OF SERVICE OF SHERIFF PATRICK A. RUSSO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
service of Sheriff Patrick A. Russo. Sheriff Russo has spent the past 
48 years protecting his local community with both the Rensselaer County 
Sheriff's Office and the Troy Police Department.
  Sheriff Russo spent the first 10 years of his career working as a 
police officer in the Troy Police Department before being promoted to a 
Uniformed Sergeant. Ten years later, he was promoted once more to the 
role of Detective Sergeant, where he served as the head of the Special 
Operations Section's Narcotics unit. In this role, Sheriff Russo 
supervised all narcotic investigations and oversaw a multi-
jurisdictional task force, which coordinated operations with local, 
state, and federal agencies.
  Following his time with the Troy Police Department, Sheriff Russo 
joined the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office and served as county 
Undersecretary for 19 years before being elected to County Sheriff in 
2015. During his tenure, Sheriff Russo made major strides in increasing 
inter-agency cooperation aimed at attacking the drug problem within 
Rensselaer County. He also focused on developing new programs for both 
youths and senior citizens meant to facilitate community engagement and 
communication.
  Sheriff Russo's dedication to the protection and support of his 
community extended far beyond his work in law enforcement. He was a 
member of several community organizations, including the City of Troy 
Labor Management Committee, the Charter Revision Committee, and the 
Rensselaer County Alternatives to Incarceration Board. Sheriff Russo 
also served as the Chairman of the Troy Housing Authority Board of 
Commissioners, the Housing Authority Public Safety Committee, and the 
Housing Authority Tenant Relations Committee. Whether in his private or 
professional life, Sheriff Russo continually demonstrated his 
commitment to improving the lives of his fellow Rensselaer County 
residents.
  Over the course of Sheriff Russo's 48 years of service, he received 
numerous honors recognizing his extraordinary impact. While with the 
Troy Police Department, he was named the recipient of the 1985 John J. 
Givney Police Award, recognizing him as Troy's police officer of the 
year. He also received various other honors during his career for his 
dedication to combatting illegal drugs within Rensselaer County.
  Sheriff Patrick Russo's unwavering dedication to the members of his 
community has left a legacy that will continue to remain long after his 
retirement. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am honored to 
celebrate and remember his distinguished career.

                          ____________________