Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Robert D. Patterson

Birmingham Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Sunday, October 31, 1982

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Robert D. Patterson

It is not how you died that made you my hero, it is how you lived!

Joy
Daughter

October 31, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Patterson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2021

I'm sorry ma'am, don't hang up
Nah, I ain't selling nothing
I don't know what I was thinking when I called
I guess I wasn't
Yeah, I was just down on my luck
Having some trouble with this old truck
And the guy that used to pick up
He could fix anything
Sometimes I forget these ten digits ain't my lifeline anymore
Every now and then, I dial 'em up
When life gets tough, or when I brave score
Sorry about the one ring hang-ups
Early morning and late night wake-ups
It was me, in case you wonder
You've got dad's old number
I learned it by heart, when I was six
He never did change it
I've called it in trouble
With good and bad news
And break-ups, yeah you name it
Sure I've got some friends I can call
They're always there if I need to talk
But good as they are, it ain't their fault
Sometimes I just need him
And sometimes I forget these ten digits ain't my lifeline anymore
Every now and then, I dial 'em up
When life gets tough, or when I brave score
Sorry about the one ring hang-ups
Early morning and late night wake-ups
It was just me, in case you wonder
You've got dad's old number
So I apologize in advance
'Cause there's a damn good chance
When I meet that girl
Or get that job
And I need to tell my best friend
You're probably going to hear from me again
'Cause sometimes I forget these ten digits ain't my lifeline anymore
Every now and then, I dial 'em up
When life gets tough, or when I brave score
Sorry about the one ring hang-ups
Early morning and late night wake-ups
It was just me, in case you wonder yeah
You've got dad's old number
Dad's old number
Songwriters: Chase Mcgill / Jessi Alexander


Dad, not a day goes by that I do not think about you. It is not how you died that made you my hero, it is how you lived!

Daughter
Daughter

August 24, 2018

Love you Uncle Robert. Miss you.

Debbie Raciborski Henslee
Niece

August 14, 2015

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-seventh anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 8, 2009

Thank you for your service. You, your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers as they remember you on this day. Words aren't enough, but please know that so many people are thankful for your service. No matter how many years pass, the police community will never forget you.

Officer's Wife
Cincinnati, Ohio

October 31, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 12, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 29, 2007

We pause to honor the memory of Officer Patterson and extend our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time of year.


May God keep, comfort, and strengthen you.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery, AL - Police Department

November 6, 2006

G-d Bless.

October 31, 2006

Rest in Peace, Officer Patterson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

September 25, 2006

More than 23 years after we lost a Dad and a husband, he is still remembered, never fogotten and greatly missed! Our whole family, even the grandchildren he never met, looks forward to the day when we too will join him in our mansion in Glory!

John 3:16

His Family

February 13, 2006

My brother,

I was there at your death. I am so sorry that this happened. It ended your life and left a permanent scar on another brother and friend. Watch over us now from on High.

WMW

Lt. W. M. Walker (ret)
Birmingham PD

December 18, 2005

I don't like to see someone without a reflection. So, to anyone who reads this, remember officers like Officer Patterson. Remember that they are people just like us with a family just like us. Thank you to all of you LEOs. May you all know the peace that only comes from God through faith in His Son, Jesus.
Wrapped in God's love,
Rachel, wife of former LOE

Rachel Jones

October 31, 2005

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.