Patrick Freaney was shot down when he first tried to hitch the US Secret Service — however the 9/11 survivor, former state trooper and native New Yorker isn’t one to stop on a dream.
Freaney, 48, gave it one other shot and went on to a adorned 25-year profession with the elite federal company, guarding US presidents, UN dignitaries and rising to the highest spot within the Huge Apple discipline workplace.
This week, he’s calling it a profession.
“I always felt a strong connection to New York, even from my early days in the service,” he informed The Put up. “To conclude my career here as the Special Agent in Charge will always be a source of personal pride. It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead this amazing group of dedicated professionals.”
Raised in Lengthy Seashore, Freaney was the son of an FDNY captain and a New York Metropolis faculty trainer, and went on to attend Siena Faculty, the place he was a standout lacrosse participant.
However he dreamed of a profession in regulation enforcement, impressed by his FBI agent grandfather, and joined the state police division in 1998, serving in Farmingdale, Brewster and Wappingers Falls.
Looking for to hitch the Secret Service, at first he was rejected.
“It was humbling, but it was also a really good lesson early in life that things will not always go your way,” Freaney stated. “It also taught me about resolve and it obviously worked out when I re-applied.”
This time, he received in, and joined the service on July 21, 2000, beginning within the New York Discipline Workplace.
On Sept. 11, 2001, he survived the collapse of seven World Commerce Heart through the terror assaults, and joined first-responders in follow-up evacuation and restoration efforts.
His profession then took off, becoming a member of the Counter Assault Group within the Particular Operations Division in 2005 and shifting to the Presidential Safety Division in 2008, the place he was a part of the unit defending former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
“People always know the service for its role in protection, but we also have an investigative mission where we focus on financial crimes that significantly impact the public and our financial system.”
In June 2012 he returned dwelling as assistant to the particular agent in cost within the New York workplace, and in March 2016 was promoted to resident particular agent in control of the White Plains workplace.
Two extra promotions rapidly adopted, to assistant particular agent in control of the Digital Crimes Job Drive in 2018, deputy particular agent in cost the next 12 months, and, lastly, to particular agent in control of the New York workplace in June 2021.
Amongst his duties was defending the United Nations Common Meeting — a large job that requires defending at the very least 130 overseas dignitaries after they converge on Manhattan.
“You can never get risk to zero,” he stated. “There’s always risk. It’s our job to mitigate it. In a global threat environment, we need to be aware of the issues and take everything into consideration.”
Now, after fulfilling each activity his nation requested him for, he’s retiring on Thursday.
“I want to thank him for everything he has done for the NYPD, for New York City, for the country, and beyond,” stated Rebecca Weiner, Deputy Commissioner, Intelligence and Counterterrorism for the NYPD. “Pat is the perfect of the perfect.
“He navigates the stormiest waters with unflappable competence, treats colleagues as family, and approaches his job with consummate professionalism,” Weiner stated. “We will miss Pat, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Freaney will likely be a senior director of safety for BNY, previously Financial institution of New York Mellon.
