Supervisor Schaffer and the Town Board recently presented a Heroism Award, the Town’s highest honor to Suffolk County Police Officer Edward Pitre for live-saving actions he took back in June when he jumped into the Great South Bay to rescue a motorist whose vehicle had gone into the water in Patchogue.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Pitre knew he had seconds to act as the vehicle was quickly becoming submerged. He jumped into the bay in full uniform and attempted to break the window, a task made more difficult by the fact that his vest and gun belt were adding 20 lbs. to his bodyweight. Crews from Patchogue Fire Department arrived and were able to assist in breaking a window, allowing Officer Pitre to successfully remove the driver from the sinking vehicle and get him to safety.
Officer Pitre is the son of the late Edward Pitre II, a former Senior Building Inspector here in the Town of Babylon Building Department. Pitre was a dedicated public servant, a helpful and diligent building inspector, and a dear friend to many employees here at the Town. Following his death in 2017, the Building Department fundraised for the construction of the Ed Pitre Memorial Garden, which is located behind the Building Department at Babylon Town Hall.
We commend Officer Pitre for his heroic actions and thank him for the work he does to keep Long Islanders safe. We know he has made his father proud.
Officer Pitre and members of the Pitre family with staff from the Department of Planning & Development and Building Department at the Edward C. Pitre II Memorial Garden behind Town Hall.