[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS POLICE OFFICER THOMAS PATTON II

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service 
of Cleveland Heights Police Officer Thomas Patton II.
  On March 13, Officer Patton was on patrol when he began chasing down 
a suspect. Tragically, he collapsed during the chase and died shortly 
after the incident. He was only 30 years old.
  Officer Patton was the only son of my friend and our community 
leader, Ohio State Senator Tom Patton, and his late wife, Evelyn.
  Officer Patton leaves behind a loving fiancee, Tricia, and beautiful 
8-month-old daughter, Kayleigh Evelyn. Thomas meant the world to his 
family and was even nicknamed ``Precious'' by his five sisters.
  It was without question what career path Thomas would take. He came 
from a family with a strong tradition of police officers that began 
with his grandfather, who joined the Cleveland Police Department in 
1946. As a child, he would dress up in old police uniforms and dream of 
what it might be like to be a patrolman.
  Thomas grew up in Strongsville, Ohio, in the heart of the 13th 
Congressional District, and he attended Holy Name School.
  He saw the dedication and commitment that his grandfather and uncle 
made as police officers and decided to take that step for himself. He 
knew the challenges and risks, and he fully embraced the spirit of the 
job. He loved the excitement of working nights. He loved serving 
others, and he died doing what he loved. He died serving and protecting 
the rest of us.
  Officers from nearby communities gathered outside his hospital the 
night he died, and many more at his memorial service. The sea of blue 
uniforms was a testament to the fraternal brotherhood of police that he 
embraced.
  His spirit and dedication to his community will be sorely missed, but 
his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. He will live on as a 
hero to his family, to Ohio, and the Nation.

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