September 22, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer submitted a statement into the Congressional Record, honoring Town of Allegany native Major Patrick Miller, who saved many lives by risking his own life to make a 9-1-1 call, after being shot near the heart during the Fort Hood shooting this past April.
HONORING MAJOR PATRICK MILLER
Mr. President, I would like to recognize and honor Major Patrick W. Miller, United States Army, for his incredible courage and bravery on April 2, 2014 during the tragic Fort Hood shooting.
Major Miller was born and raised in Allegany, New York and was commissioned in the United States Army in 2003 after graduating from St. Bonaventure University. He has been deployed to Iraq for two tours, first as a commander of a platoon of medics and second as an adviser to the Iraqi Army. In August of 2013, he and his wife Ashley were assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.
It was there, on the afternoon of April 2nd, that a gunman opened fire in a shooting rampage. During that time, the shooter entered Major Miller’s building and opened fire, immediately hitting Patrick in the abdomen, just 2 inches below his heart. Despite being critically wounded, and at great risk to his own life, he rushed to get his fellow soldiers to safety in a closed office as quickly as possible. Then, while attempting to put pressure on his wound, still thinking of his fellow soldiers, he was able to make a call to 911 to report the shooting. In addition to wounding Major Miller, the shooter ended up killing 3 soldiers and wounding 15 others, before taking his own life.
The heroic and distinguished acts by Major Miller, beyond a doubt, saved countless lives.
On behalf of the nation and my fellow New Yorkers, it is my honor to recognize the exemplary service and overwhelming bravery of Major Miller during such a tragic event. I wish him the best as he continues to serve our great nation.
