Patrick M. Novack

Patrick M. Novack was a youth-oriented Community Service activist in the state of Minnesota, a highly decorated United States Army Vietnam War veteran with the United States Army Rangers and LRRP Special Forces Teams, a Police Detective for the city of Minneapolis for 30 years, and an Investigator for the Federal Government.
Early Life
Patrick M. Novack was the eldest of five children to Raymond and Catherine Novack
(Harrigan). He and his brothers Timothy, Jerome, John, and sister Eileen all were raised in North Minneapolis.
He graduated from Minneapolis North High School in 1965, where he excelled in football and played the drums in band.
Education
After high school, Novack earned an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from North Hennipen Community College in 1975, a Bachelor's of Science in Political Science from the University of Minnesota in 1978, and later a Master's Degree in Political Science in 2002.
Personal Life
Novack and his wife Mary were married on May 25th, 1970. Mary had been married once before and
he adopted Mary's five year-old son Michael soon after. Their son Sean was born in April of 1971, and in 1974 they settled in
the city of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. While they changed homes two other times, Coon Rapids is where Novack and his wife lived until the date of their death.
Military Service
Rather than simply submit to the Selective Service draft going on for the war in Vietnam,
Novack enlisted in the United States Army with the intention of being stationed in Europe as a Military Police Officer.
Upon completion of Basic Training, the Army sent him to Germany, where he did serve as an MP. After three months,
having completed its obligation, the Army sent him to serve in Vietnam.
Once serving in the war zone became a reality, Novack volunteered for special training, and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Co. F, 50th Infantry (LRP) and joined a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol team.
During three tours from 1967-1969 he eventually became a Team Leader, and earned several decorations for valor during covert insertion missions in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol teams (LRRP) specialized in surveillance, ambush, and elimination. Among others, he was awarded the Silver Star w/bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with (V) valor device & two clusters for combat heroism, and the Purple Heart after he was wounded in combat during his third tour.
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Police Career
Novack returned to Minneapolis after his honorable discharge and enrolled in the Minneapolis Police Academy.
He rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant, and had passed the lieutenant’s test before the
promotion freezes were put in place by the new Chief Tony Bouza.
During his time on the Minneapolis Police Department, Novack worked extensively with several Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the
Federal Bureau of Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and the United States Secret Service. He worked with the Secret Service details of Vice-Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale as a local specialist.
He was still line for permanent promotion to Detective-Lieutenant when he retired, and was offered the rank
of “Inspector” three times (the equivalent pay grade of Captain), but refused the promotion
because it was a political appointment and subject to the whim of the Chief.
In his 30 years in uniform Novack earned 6 official Commendations, the Medal of Valor, and the Medal of Honor. He was a frequent instructor at the Minneapolis Police Academy, teaching classes in crime scene investigation and victim/witness interviewing and interrogation. From 1987-1993 he was in charge of background investigations for all incoming police recruits.
Attempt on his life
In May of 1974 Novack's home was struck by arsonists. The culprits were associates of criminals Novack had had a hand in arresting and imprisoning in a narcotics sting in the Great Lakes shipping sity of Duluth, MN. They were caught at the hospital after Novack injured one of the assailants by shooting them with his pistol, and found guilty of 4 counts of arson and multiple counts of attempted murder after burning the homes of two other investigating officers and the prosecuting attorney. Novack managed to get his family out of the burning residence and escape without injury. He rebuilt the house on the site at 11777 Sand Creek Drive in Coon Rapids.
Politics
Novack was an active member of the Republican Party of Minnesota. Working in his local BPOU (Basic Political Organizational Unit) and State Congressional District he helped craft the State Party platform in the 1980's, and was asked to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention from Minnesota in 1988, which he declined because of police obligations. He also made an unsuccessful bid for a City Council seat in his hometown of Coon Rapids in 2004.
Post-Retirement
Patrick and Mary Novack founded Shamrock Investigations Inc. in 1998 and, using connections created during
his law enforcement and military careers, were able to contract out to Defense Security Service, United States Department of Defense. Novack's prior work with the Federal government allowed him to easily recieve the necessary Security clearances to work with Top Secret material. After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, Shamrock Investigations was transferred under the umbrella of the
Department of Homeland Security. Novack worked on many investigations where he specialized in tracking illegal money funneling to terrorist organizations. Those accounts were then frozen and confiscated by the United States government.
Community Service
Novack was active in nationally, statewide, and citywide in a number of organizations.
An early member of the Coon Rapids Jaycees (1972-1984), he earned 2 Gold Keys, 2 Silver Keys, 1 Bronze Key for his work at the local Chapter, serving in virtually all positions, including three years as Chapter President. Novack was also very active with the Minnesota Jaycees (1972-1984), earning the Gold Key 1982, and serving as the Criminal Justice Cordinator 1974-1975, Muscular Dystrophy Program Manager 1977-1978, Community Development Director 1981-1984, and US Jaycee Liaison 1981-1982. Nationally, the United States Jaycees (1972-death) awarded Novack with Ambassadorship #852 in 1982. 'Ambassador' is the highest honor that can be awarded to an individual member by the United States Jaycees.
His work with the Jaycees led Novack to working with the Coon Rapids Snowflake Association from 1976-1986, where he served as the Senior Vice-President 1979-1986. He was later honored by the Snowflake Association when chosen as the Marquis for the 2004 city celebration.
The Miss Coon Rapids Scholarship Pageant started as a Coon Rapids Jaycee program, which Novack led as Director for three years, working with Sue Ericson as her trainer and chaperone when she won the title of Miss Minnesota in 1983. After the Chapter dropped the program Novack was the Co-Founder Miss Coon Rapids Scholarship Program in 1986. At the State level Novack became active with the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant as the State Field Director, and served on the Board of Directors. While serving on the Board Novack helped Lauren Green place 3rd in, and Gretchen Carlson win the Miss America Program in 1984 and 1988 respectively. After Carlson's win, Novack served as the Miss America Scholarship Program Regional Director from 1989-1993.
Novack was selected for membership in Outstanding Young Men of America in 1982.
Novack enjoyed working with the youth of the community, and was Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster: Troop 516 in Coon Rapids, and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation - Midwest (5 State) District Director from 1979-1985.
Later in life, he remained active in Coon Rapids and the Twin Cities Metro Area with American Legion Post #334, Rotary International, and the Meals on Wheels programs.
Death
On Sunday May 23rd, 2004, Patrick and Mary Novack were killed instantly in an automobile accident in South Bend, Indiana.
Returning home from Washington DC their light SUV hydroplaned in a sudden rainstorm, jumped the guardrail of the
highway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN3) stated in a letter to the family after their death that Novack and his wife Mary were “true
pillars of the community, as well as great American Patriots”, and “their many civic contributions…will be sorely missed”. On May 25th, 2004 the Congressman requested that the flag flying over the Capital in Washington D.C fly in their honor on their 34th Wedding Anniversary and this flag was presented to the family at the Novack's funeral.
Patrick & Mary Novack are buried at Historic Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Section 12, lot 46.
Legacy
In 2005 the Novacks' son Sean and his wife Cheryl founded the
Patrick & Mary Novack Community Service Scholarship Foundation to honor
the memory and the service of his parents.
The Novack Scholarship Foundation awards $1000.00 each year to a Coon Rapids High School Senior based on demonstrable excellence in community service.
The first award was given to 2006 graduate Megan Janni, and was funded entirely by the Novack family.
In August of 2006 the Novack Scholarship Foundation was granted 501(c)3 charitable
status, by the State of Minnesota.

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