Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart bleeds for you and your family. Johnnie, I know you are helping God in heaven. How absolutely horrible that your dad had to be involved in this tragedy. May he, and the rest of your family, find solace in knowing that you were doing the job you loved to do. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Det. Sgt. Mark Hanna
Fayetteville, AR PD

June 3, 2007

Thank you for your service, it has been 10 yrs since you passed.....you are not forgotten...rip

March 8, 2007

May you continue to rest in peace.

Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly, Va. PD

March 8, 2007

May you rest in peace and may Our Lord hold your loved ones tight.

March 8, 2007

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE...
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

January 5, 2007

Johnnie,
I never had the opportunity or priviledge to meet you or work with you. But I have worked side by side with your father, who is a great man who I've learned a lot from.
Police work takes a special person, to do the things we do, and take the risks we take, and get no appreciation for it. You made the ultimate sacrifice, and you are a hero to us all. You will never be forgotten. You are a hero to all of us who put on a uniform every day. I see your picture on the wall every day before I go 10-8 and say a prayer for all of us every day.
You will always be loved, and never forgotten here in Winter Haven.

Ofc. Gaskin
Winter Haven PD

September 30, 2006

I went to the academy with Johnny (PCC-Core 19) and found him to be a really nice guy. He was always ready to do whatever it took to become his dream, a police officer. He inspired us all. His sacrifice taught me a valuable lesson that still serves me today-Always Be Prepared For The Unexpected! We all took our separate paths to our different agencies, but we'll always be brothers.
Stay Safe,
Andrew Wills
Core 19

Det. Andrew Wills
Sumter County Sheriff's Office

August 9, 2006

To Patrol Officer Johnnie Norris Patterson Jr. and his loved ones:

On this the ninth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
Although I share the agony of your parents of having lost my son to gunfire, I cannot even begin to comprehend how very awful that night was for your father.

Johnnie, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

I am so saddened that you were robbed of your future when you had a whole lifetime ahead.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Patterson.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Johnnie gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 8, 1997.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 8, 2006

Rest In Peace Sir.

March 8, 2006

Johnnie, I had the pleasure of doing your background investigation and seeing you through the hiring process. That unfortunate morning has touched all of us in someway. Your picture in the hallway is a testament to all at the PD to be aware of the dangers of this profession. You will always be remembered and not forgotten by those who were with you at the PD. God Bless to you, your family and the WHPD family as well.

Major Fred DeLoach-Retired
Winter Haven Police Department

February 24, 2006

Johnnie, I never had the pleasure to meet you but, had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and working side by side with your dad. He always talks highly of you and I wish I had the pleasure. I think of you often, when I get ready for work. I will always remember you. God be with your family, I think of them often also. Take care Bro.

Dep. Daniel Miller
MCSO-Former Winter Haven PD

January 5, 2006

Johnnie,

It's been forever buddy. I can remember our days at Steese VFD station 1, it was always cool working a shift or training with you. You did it all, man. Then came that horrible day in March 91'. I can still hear your report to FMH about Christy's condition. God, man, I can't even imagine how you did that. We never got to talk after that day. I didn't see you at the service and before I knew it, you left state.

I've always wondered what you thought about after all of that. We seemed to talk so much and then you couldn't; I wish you could have, I really wanted to be there for you.

You went to the blues and so did I ; go figure, huh. I miss the rigs and the heat, but I know I'm still making a difference like we talked about. I miss you, man. I owe a lot to you, my friend, you were always there - thank you.

Rest easy, brother; we've got it here.

JJO Alan Mitchell
State of Alaska

June 23, 2005

I did not know you, however your father now works with us and he's a great man. I see your photo everyday on the wall. On one day while your father was training me he took me to see you. We just stood there and gazed at your tomestone. He then said "that's my boy!" That just said so much. Thanks for being that 10-8 officer.

Ofc. Scianimanico
Winter Haven P.D

December 7, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, March 8, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Patrol Officer Johnnie Norris Patterson Jr., who died in the line of duty on this date seven years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Patterson's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

March 8, 2004

" Just a Cop "

The funeral line was long, there's an awful lot of cars.
Folks came out of the restaurants, they came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites all let their hammers drop.
Someone asked " What is this all for?"
and they said " Aw just a cop."

Some chuckled at the passing cars, some shed a silent tear.
Some people said its stupid all these dumb policemen here.
" How come they are not out fighting crime or in a doughnut shop?"
"Sure is a lot of trouble for someone who's just a cop."

They blocked the intersections, they blocked the interstate.
People yelled and cursed, "Damn, its gonna make me late."
" This is really ridiculous, they're makin us all stop. "
" It seems they are sure wastin time on someone who's just a cop. "

Into the cemetery now, the slow procession comes.
The woeful taps are slowly played, there's loud salutes from the guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads, this service is a flop.
There's a lot of words wasted on someone who's just a cop.

Yeah, just a cop to most folks, did his duty every day.
Trying to protect us, till they took his life away.
When he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top.
An angel asked him " Who was that? ", and he said " Aw just a cop. "

The officer stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning, just as brightly as his brass.
" STEP FORWARD NOW OFFICER, HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? "
HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK, TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE? "

The officer squared his shoulders and said, " No Lord I guess I aint.
Because those of us who carry a Badge can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough.
Sometimes I've been violent because the streets are tough.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I've worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep.
I never passed a cry for help though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.

I know I dont deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had to much; but if you don't
.....I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod.
As the officer stood and waited quietly for the judgement of his God.

" STEP FORWARD NOW, OFFICER YOU'VE BORNE YOUR BURDEN WELL. "

" COME WALK A BEAT ON HEAVEN'S STREET. YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL. "

Johnnie,

I walk by your picture in the hall every day. I see what you gave for us, and for your family I do pray. I never worked with you, but your story I have been told. Your dad works here proud of you each and every day. We watch over him just as you watch over us.

Rest in peace Brother. You might be gone, but you will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

Police Officer
Winter Haven Police Department

February 25, 2004

Ever since we lost Sgt. Land, I view this page everday before I go 10-8. You are still in my thoughts Johnnie, especially when we all lose another brother. The times we all had in the academy were memorable, who would have known it would turn out like this.

Sgt Richard J. Wiggins
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

January 26, 2004

Johnnie,

It seems like yesterday you and I were up on the highway running RADAR and you were flashing your lights to warn people so I would not give them a ticket. I will never forget your sense of humor and your professionalism. You were one of the best officers I have ever had to chance to work with and you are missed every day. I know you are watching down over all of us. Rest in peace Johnnie, you have earned it.

I will always remember you.

Officer T. Yancey
Former Winter Haven Police Officer

January 17, 2004

Johnnie,

I still think about you every day. The pain has not gone and probably never will. I miss working with you and having you as a friend. I know you are looking down watching over us and helping to keep us safe.

Will see you again.

Anonymous

December 28, 2003

hard to believe it has been almost 7 years since that horrible morning .... i came on duty at our dispatch center to hear winter haven had an officer down , i remember it like it was yesterday.... the shock the disbelieve that we had lost one of our family

even though it has been so long johnnie has never been forgotten , i did not know him personally but from all i have heard he was a really wonderful person

to his mom and dad god bless you, my prayers are still with you
to johnnie sr i know your son is your guardian angel in heaven watching over you as you patrol the streets of winter haven now

thank you johnnie for your ultimate sacrifice

dispatcher /911 operator
polk county sheriff's office

December 27, 2003

i went to the academy with john and was up in new york when he was killed, he was a good cop and a good person he will be missed

ofc jim mcgarvey
lady lake police dept

I have been visiting this web sight more often since the murder of my Lieutenant in Pasco. I remember the night Officer Patterson was murdered and the media reports that followed.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Officer Patterson but I pray for his family, friends and fellow offiers.

God speed and keep you safe.

FTO M. Jones
Pasco Sheriff's Office

J.P.,

We love and miss you brother!!!!!

Anonymous

I was not in law enforcement when Officer Patterson was killed,however, I still remember the somber event. May he rest in peace.

Deputy J. Schoch
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office