Retired State Trooper, 50, Dies From Coronavirus

CONNECTICUT — A retired state police trooper who was one of the first people to respond to the Sandy Hook school shooting died after being infected with the coronavirus. Patrick Dragon, 50, passed away Jan. 2 at Hartford Hospital.

Dragon dedicated his life to public service since he was a teenager when he joined the East Brooklyn Fire Department. He graduated from the state police academy in 1998 and retired from the department in 2018. He served as a patrol trooper, resident trooper in Sterling and as a detective with the department’s eastern district major crime squad and fire and explosion investigation unit.

Dragon later joined the Foster Police Department in Rhode Island as a dispatcher. He was also the deputy chief for the East Brooklyn Fire Department and had served in the department for 34 years, according to the Connecticut Post.

Dragon’s family recalled him as someone who had a strong desire to help his community. He received treatment for PTSD and went on to help other officers who were struggling with trauma, according to NBC Connecticut.

Dragon tested positive for the virus Dec. 12 and went back to work after quarantining, but went to the hospital Dec. 27 after his condition worsened, according to NBC Connecticut. He was put on a ventilator and heart-lung bypass — he passed away after six days in the hospital.

A memorial service is being planned for the spring due to coronavirus restrictions.