Nicholas ‘Nick’ Peter Leary, National Guard, State Police K9
POMFRET CENTER — Nicholas “Nick” Peter Leary, 56, of Pomfret, passed away on May 24, 2026, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He fought like a warrior until the very end and during his final days he was surrounded by family, friends, and countless members of the Connecticut State Police.
Nick was born June 9, 1969, in Fall River, Mass., to his late parents, Daniel Peter Leary and Dinah (Nobrega) Leary.
Nick lived a life defined by courage, loyalty, humility, valor, and service. Whether serving his country, protecting his community, coaching young athletes, or spending time with the people he loved most, Nick approached every part of life with strength, heart, and unwavering dedication.
A proud veteran, Nick served in the U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard from 1992 to 1998, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E5) with Charlie Company, 181st Infantry. During basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., he served as platoon leader for 50 trainees and earned the distinction of Distinguished Honor Graduate.
He later attended the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Indiantown Gap, Penn., and was honored as the 1994 Soldier of the Year for the 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry.
On Feb. 14, 1997, Nick began his distinguished career with the Connecticut State Police as a member of the 106th Training Troop. Upon graduating from the Connecticut State Police Academy, he was assigned to Troop D in Danielson, where he proudly served his entire 20-year career, retiring as a Trooper First Class on Sept. 30, 2017.
Throughout his career, Nick earned the respect and admiration of fellow troopers and the communities he served.
He was a member of the Connecticut State Police Search and Rescue Unit and was a K-9 handler to three remarkable partners: K-9 Joel, K-9 Max, and K-9 Elvis. His work with his K-9s became legendary throughout the law enforcement community and he is often regarded as the best K-9 handler to ever have served the Connecticut State Police.
Nick’s service earned him four Life Saving Medals, a Bravery Medal, four Unit Citations, a Meritorious Service Medal, and two Outstanding Police Service Medals.
In 2008, Trooper Leary received the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Hero Fund Medal for rescuing a woman from a burning second-floor apartment in Danielson on Aug. 9, 2007. Though not specifically trained or equipped for such a rescue, Nick crawled through flames into the woman’s bedroom, dragged her to safety, and carried her outside as the apartment became engulfed in fire. In true Nick fashion, he donated the monetary award accompanying the honor to The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Nick’s commitment to K-9 work and public safety was extraordinary. In 2005, K-9 Joel received the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard “Stubby” Award for canine heroism after locating an unconscious injured person more than 2 miles from a serious motor vehicle accident, ultimately saving the individual’s life. In 2014, Nick and K-9 Elvis became the first Connecticut State Police team to win Connecticut’s K-9 Olympics — a distinction that remains unmatched in the event’s 33-year history.
On Sept. 13, 2009, Trooper Leary and K-9 Max played a pivotal role in the investigation into the murder of Yale graduate student Annie Le when K-9 Max located her body concealed behind a basement wall, helping bring answers in a case that captured national attention.
Following his retirement from the Connecticut State Police, Nick continued his life of service with the Mohegan Tribal Police Department, where he served as a Sergeant and K-9 handler alongside his beloved bomb detection dog, K-9 Dixie.
Outside of law enforcement, Nick was fiercely devoted to his family.
He loved traveling to Disney with his wife and sons, attending his boys’ sporting events, attending concerts, working out, BBQ, and spending time with friends.
A lifelong Raiders and Boston Red Sox fan, Nick brought the same passion and loyalty to his favorite teams that he brought to every aspect of his life.
He was also regarded as one of the nation’s foremost historians of police memorabilia, badges, and antique police cars, traveling the country to attend events and connect with fellow collectors and law enforcement friends where he earned numerous awards and national recognition.
Nick also possessed a remarkable artistic talent for creating and meticulously painting law enforcement figures, which he quietly and generously gifted to members of the law enforcement community.
These handcrafted pieces became treasured keepsakes and reflected the pride, respect, and brotherhood he carried throughout his life and career.
Nick was a graduate of Springfield College, where he was a four-year member of the wrestling team, and Providence Country Day School, where he participated in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. Following college, he coached wrestling at American International College and later served as an assistant wrestling coach at both the Rectory School and Pomfret School, proudly coaching alongside and supporting his son Will.
Above all, Nick will be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father, loyal friend, mentor, protector, and brother in blue. He possessed a larger-than-life presence, an unmatched work ethic, and a deep love for the people around him. His courage inspired many, his kindness touched countless lives, and his legacy of service will live on forever.
He leaves his loving wife, Susan Hatfield; his sons, William Leary, Daniel Leary, his loyal K-9 partner, Dixie; his father-in-law Thomas W. Hatfield, his brother-in-law Thomas A. Hatfield (Dawn), his sisters-in-law Katheryn Mann (Steve) and Anne P. Hatfield, and thousands of brothers and sisters within the Connecticut State Police and the greater law enforcement community. In addition to his parents, and mother-in-law Phyllis A. Hatfield, he was predeceased by family members, friends, fellow officers, and beloved K-9 partners.
Services celebrating Nick’s life are open to all and will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 11, with a noon memorial service at the Connecticut State Police Museum, 294 Colony St., Meriden. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow as family, friends, and his law enforcement family gather to honor and celebrate him.
Donations: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - directed to Dr. Richardson’s Multiple Myeloma Research Fund - at: dana-farber.org/gift or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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