Grand Marshal Announced For 2023 Norwalk Saint Patrick's Day Parade

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Police Emerald Society Parade Committee has announced Brendan Collins, a former Norwalk police officer, as the 2023 Norwalk Saint Patrick's Day Parade grand marshal.

The parade will take place Saturday, March 11, stepping off from Veteran's Park at 11 a.m. and proceeding through South Norwalk.

According to a news release provided by the Emerald Society, Collins grew up in Norwalk and attended Fox Run Elementary School and Ponus Ridge Middle School. He graduated from Brien McMahon High School in 2003.

In 2007, he graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in criminal justice and public administration. Upon graduation, Collins returned to Norwalk and immediately began a career in law enforcement as a Norwalk police officer.

With the support of his peers, Collins co-founded and was elected president of the Norwalk Police Emerald Society, a 501(c)3 organization established for active and retired police, firefighters, paramedics and members of dispatch to preserve and promote Irish heritage and culture, in 2015.

The organization serves to develop a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship and to encourage a fuller participation in the activities of organizations for the good and welfare of the relationship between police and communities, according to the Emerald Society.

In 2016, Collins and the Emerald Society sponsored the city's first St. Patrick's Day Parade. Collins marched with the Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums, alongside the Hartford Police Emerald Society, and has a lasting relationship with members of the Garda Siochana.

Collins lived in Norwalk nearly all of his life. He traces his Irish lineage from his father's side.

His great-grandfather, Patrick Finn Collins, was born in Spaddagh, County Mayo, Ireland. His parents were Edward Lyons of Spaddagh, County Mayo, Ireland and Catherine Finn of County Mayo, Ireland. His father's grandmother was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. Her parents were Patrick McCrickard of Moneyscalp, County Down, and Sarah Starkey, of Tyrella, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Collins' willingness to give back to the community highlights his service to Norwalk and a career with the Norwalk Police Department of honorable mentions. In 2010, he was a Norwalk Police Officer of the Year and a State of Connecticut, "Salute to Connecticut’s Finest" Norwalk Police Emerald Society award member.

In 2016, he received a Life Saving Award and a Courage of Connecticut Law Enforcement award. Collins has a Medal of Merit, Meritorious Commendations, Distinguished Service Awards, a Unit Citation Award and a Chief’s Letter of Recognition.

In 2020, Collins received the Irish Echo Law & Order Blue Line Award in New York City. In 2021, Collins left the Norwalk Police Department at the rank of detective to accept a position with the Department of Justice and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, Melissa, and their two children.