Special Agent Patrick Timothy Dillon was born on June 27, 1956, to Duayne and Helen Dillon. He grew up in Martinez, California with his sister and three brothers. Pat was inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement by his father who retired as the Undersheriff of Contra Costa County.

Agent Dillon graduated from San Jose State University in 1980, with a degree in Criminal Justice and began his law enforcement career with the California Highway Patrol. He first worked in San Francisco and then transferred to Orange County where he met his wife Betsey. In 1996, Dillon transferred to California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, he was recruited to the California Anti-terrorism Task Force and was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

During Agent Dillon’s tenure with the BNE, he was assigned to the Special Operations Unit, Violence Suppression Unit, and the Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, which routinely assisted the California Methamphetamine Strategy teams in their investigations of major narcotics traffickers.

Agent Dillon was diagnosed with kidney cancer in July of 2006. His cancer was found to have been a direct result of repeated exposure to known carcinogens associated with the investigation of the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine. After a brief, courageous fight, Agent Patrick Dillon died on April 14, 2007, after 25 years of law enforcement service. Agent Dillon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Purple Heart by the California Department of Justice on July 21, 2009.

Pat and Betsey Dillon were married for nearly 20 years and were blessed with two children, Ryan and Sarah. He would often tell the children that he had to “go to work to catch some bad guys.” With his easy going manner and sense of humor, it was always a surprise for friends to learn that he was a dedicated law enforcement officer. Agent Dillon loved living near the beach and enjoyed spending time there with friends and family.  He enjoyed barbecuing in the backyard and dedicated many hours to his garden. “His garden is a blessing to our family, and his plants flower at the most meaningful times,” Betsey Dillon shares, “…on Valentine’s Day, our birthdays, Mother’s Day…”

On April 19, 2007, Special Agent Patrick Dillon was memorialized at a funeral mass held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in San Clemente. He is survived by his wife Betsey, son Ryan, daughter Sarah, parents Duayne and Helen, sister Mary, and brothers, Mike, Dan and Dennis.