Written with Leslie Dupuis, Editor
School Resource Officer Wayne Drown, universally known as “Pooch,” passed away suddenly on February 24 at Maine Medical Center from a heart attack.
Pooch was born and raised in Gorham. His career in public safety started in 1974 when he became a volunteer firefighter for the Gorham Fire Department. Pooch worked his way up to captain and in 1981 went to work for the Public Works Department before being hired as a reserve officer by the Gorham PD and becoming a full time officer in 1984.
In 1986 he was promoted to detective, and in 1992, he became the Gorham Police Department’s first School Resource Officer (SRO). A second SRO was eventually hired and Pooch was assigned to Gorham High School full-time where he remained until his untimely death.
Photo courtesy of GPDAs GHS Principal Brian Jandreau shared in a letter to parents, “There are not words that can do justice to how much Pooch has meant to our community. Personally, he has been a mentor, a father-like figure that I have learned so much from.”
Drown was heavily involved with Maine Special Olympics. He refereed basketball, and coached golf and softball for Gorham High School. He received many awards over the years for his efforts in community policing. Most recently he was recognized for the Cop’s Cop Award from the Maine Association of Police, a lifetime achievement award.
Photo courtesy of GPDOfficer Wayne “Pooch” Drown was chosen as the recipient of the Larry Gross Cop’s Cop Award on January 26. The award recognizes a member not only for their commitment to the profession of Law Enforcement, but to their commitment to the fraternal nature of the Maine Law Enforcement community. Drown is shown with MAP President Sergeant Kevin Riodan of the Old Orchard Beach Police Department.
Police Chief Dan Jones said, “Pooch could be all things to all people. I have worked with thousands of police officers during my career and I have never seen anyone who could connect with everyone the way he did. Even people he had arrested said he had been able to connect with them. His death is a tremendous loss to our community.”
Deputy Police Chief Christopher Sanborn remembered Pooch as “a true believer in the community policing philosophy. He really cared about the people he served. He leaves behind huge shoes to fill.”
Photo credit Jen BanksGorham fifth-grader, Hudson Banks, is shown with Pooch along the route of this past year’s Wreaths Across America trek.
Over 2,500 people attended Drown’s Celebration of Life at USM’s Field House on February 28 after the Gorham Schools closed for the day to honor him.
In an announcement to the district several days prior, Superintendent Heather Perry shared, “Over the past 24 hours I have come to learn just how much a part of our K-12 ‘fabric’ and ‘family’ Pooch has been. He has impacted the lives of so many families and so many children in Gorham in a positive way. Pooch’s service to our school district as our School Resource Officer (SRO) and to the greater community of Gorham has been tremendous over the years. He loved working with children and he was passionate about protecting the community he cared so deeply about. He was an institution in Gorham, an individual who embodied our Code of Conduct in everything that he did. He was cared for and loved by many of us and will be sorely missed as an integral part of our entire Gorham Schools Family.”
Photo credit Albert Bean Jr.More than 2,500 people came to pay their respects at Pooch’s Celebration of Life service on February 28.
The service was filled with reflections from those closest to Drown, and gentle reminders to fill your “dash” (the time between birth and death) with positivity. He was remembered for dedicating himself to the community and being a tireless supporter of kids. One speaker recounted Pooch’s belief that, “All kids are good kids,” while another said, “He made us all feel like we were his favorite.”
Drown’s life was cut short, but it is clear that he will leave a lasting impression on all those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Photo courtesy of GPDTributes from the Community:
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Pooch was one of the good ones… an advocate for all kids, a trusted colleague, a true professional, a pillar of the community, a diehard GHS fan, and a compassionate friend…he will be truly missed but certainly remembered with love. I so appreciate his loyal service and commitment to Gorham. Luci Bowers |
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He found a way to be everywhere for everyone all the time. Pooch will be remembered as the ultimate example of someone who put their community first. RIP Pooch. David Willis |
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Pooch was just a great guy. He was there for everybody. Whatever he did, he did for the good of the community. He was a really great SRO who would sit down, listen, talk and help young people sort things out and get to a solution. He put his heart and soul into it. Ron Shepard, Former Gorham Police Chief |
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Pooch had been a police officer in Gorham since before I was in high school. As his role evolved into an advocate for the students, this man truly shined brightly. The lives that he has touched are uncountable. My kids considered him a safe place and even my youngest, not in those schools yet, looked up to him as a rock star and friend. We will all miss you, sir, with lots of love and respect. Jen Banks |
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Over the last several days we’ve all heard the words – a champion, a leader, superman, an ambassador and other parallels attributed to this gentleman. As my friend, I’d prefer to say he is an “original.” An original that always placed others before himself. Some say the greatest gift in life is friendship and we have received it. Whether volunteering within the community, the schools or any activity, there was no task too small or menial that Pooch didn’t take on. Pooch believed that the glass was always half full no matter how difficult the challenge. He certainly is one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet. Pooch would ask for police assignments at home soccer, football and basketball games… it would always amaze me as you’d find him flipping burgers, or directly on the sideline talking to the players, officials, or maybe hinting something to the coaches. He was at his best when he could be with them. He didn’t stereotype kids – through his actions and words he encouraged all students. His way of coming down on them was finding a positive action for change. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden said, “Be true to yourself, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art.” I am not sure Pooch read this but he lived it every minute of every day. Today each of us must remember to say thank you to someone and give a friend a pat on the back, or a fist bump, or words of encouragement because that is what Pooch would do. The thousands of miles he traveled have left an indelible impression on anyone who just met him once. Thank God you were the original Pooch – the one and only. Gerry Durgin, Former GHS Athletic Director |
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Nothing I can write about my friend Wayne “Pooch” Drown will do him justice, but I would like to try. I was incredibly lucky to have Pooch as my assistant when I served as the coach of the Gorham High School Golf Team. Pooch was born to coach. He was passionate about getting kids involved with the game he loved. He knew that golf was more than a sport; it taught kids life lessons. As he was teaching kids, he was simultaneously teaching me to be a better coach. Pooch taught me to listen to kids. He was a great role model for young people and his positive attitude left kids feeling better about themselves. He was happy when a player shot a great score and offered encouragement when a player was struggling. One of his favorite lessons to players was, “Playing golf isn’t the Kentucky Derby. You need to slow your swing down in order to find your game.” Well Pooch, I am going to take your advice and slow down to reflect on all the lessons you taught me. Those lessons have undoubtedly made me a better person. Rest in Peace my friend. Rick Altham, GHS Golf Coach 2009-2016 |
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Without question we have lost “Gorham’s Finest.” An extraordinary individual that dedicated his life to his family and our community. Pooch shepherded in the DARE program in the mid 90’s. He also became Gorham’s first School Resource Officer over 15 years ago when believe me not everyone was on board with an armed, uniformed officer in the High School. He recently was working on restorative justice to keep juveniles out of jail and on the right track. Pooch was a trailblazer in many respects. He loved the kids and he earned the trust and respect by always seeing the good and the potential in each and every one of them. We’ll be forever grateful and appreciative to have had the opportunity to have a friend affectionally called “Pooch.” They’ll never be another… Shawn Moody |
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Like many others, I’ve known Pooch for a very long time. We met while I was running Camp Ketcha and Pooch was looking for some programming to help kids learn how to communicate better and make better decisions. We ran a successful program together for many years. I learned much from him. He only ever cared about one thing…what was best for the student(s). He was resolute in ensuring the community understood that it does take all of us to create the environment where kids can be supported and succeed. What a huge loss for Gorham, not to mention Pooch’s family. RIP Pooch. You will be sadly missed. Dave Perron |
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Special Olympics Maine is heartbroken over the loss of our dear and long- time friend Poochie. Pooch has been a part of the Special Olympic Maine family since the very beginning and assisted our founder, Mickey Boutilier, in those early days to actually get the program going here in Maine. For about 20 years, Poochie’s Barn was home to all of the Special Olympics Maine equipment and weekends were spent out there loading and unloading trucks to go to events. Pooch was also one of the original members of the annual Maine Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and has made sure that Gorham PD stayed involved for the past 30 plus years. Pooch loved being part of the Torch Run, and participating in all of the annual fundraising and awareness raising events. He was a fixture at our annual local events handing out medals and ribbons to our athletes and reffed all of our local Unified Basketball games. Pooch loved our athletes and our athletes adored and looked up to him. We are completely heartbroken over this loss. He has left a huge void that I know the men and women of GPD will try to fill. He was a dear friend and we will miss him immensely. Lisa Bird, Special Olympics Maine |
For those who were unable to attend the service, Village Elementary teacher Kim Meggison suggested spreading acts of kindness after a conversation with her London-based daughter, GHS grad Kate Fasulo, who wished to do something in Pooch’s honor. Several shared their ideas with the Gorham Times:
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I will be honoring Pooch here in Stamford, CT. For me, I will always remember Pooch’s unwavering optimism in people. This played out in many ways but most visibly in his respect, kindness and outreach to everyone he encountered day in and day out. So as I go through daily routines in grocery lines, etc., I will make a point to give everyone the respect, and genuine smile he gave us all. Whitney Libby |
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I once lived in Gorham but never went to Gorham schools, however, Pooch was a dear friend of my father. To honor this hero and legend, I will always keep him in mind when I come across difficult patients and give them the benefit of a doubt. I will always see the best in them and help them at their worst. This is what he did every day of his life and this is the best tribute I can think of to him. Jennifer Lynn |
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Pooch is my uncle and I want to do something in his honor. The plan that I came up with is that over the year I am going to knit hats for the Special Olympics as he had a big involvement with the Special Olympics. My goal is to knit at least 100 hats in his honor for the next winter games. Katie Nicholson |