Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another year has passed and I wish your grandchildren could have known you. I wish I could tease you about the grey hair now.....or the lack of hair at all...Ha Ha!
Our kids are all becoming grandparents now....wow! I'm trying to picture you without the hair...not working. Still a hole in my heart.

Billie M. Thompson
wife

September 3, 2024

Here it is, 2024. I have turned into a little ol' lady. You'd be kidding me about my fat waist now and I tell you that we were just a matching pair. I'm content now, but I know the kids still carry an empty spot in their hearts for you....I do, too, but I accept that you are in a better place and we'll all be together again one day...We love you.

Billie M Thompson, widow

September 2, 2024

30 years sounds like a long time doesn't it? Well, physically it sure leaves it's mark, but you know what? the good memories linger and crowd out the ugly ones.....I love Pat has much now as ever....I've learned to live and cherish his memories as I go thru this life while still looking to the needs and cares of others. The living are more in need of our love now. Pat knows and understands.

Billie M Thompson
wife

July 19, 2024

Well, Pat...it's been 30 years since you left this physical world...I know you're still keeping an eye on us. We still miss you and think of you often.....

Billie M Thompson
wife

July 19, 2024

It's been 30 years now....The days aren't sad like they used to be...the memories of you are pleasant....and funny. The kids followed in your footsteps and one has retired all ready...how about that? The oldest boy is now following your beloved dream of working in a motorcycle shop...boys and their toys! Your 2nd son is retired but does paper work for the PD. Your oldest girl still loves being a Park ranger,....I don't think your youngest will ever retire from the PD. Me? I'm going to become a famous artist, didn't you know? I'll let you know how that goes .

Billie M Thompson
wife

July 19, 2024

Well, Pat, it's now 2023! I still miss you and will always keep you in my heart until the day we meet again.

Billie Thompson
wife

October 16, 2023

Taking some time to remember Dad. He taught me the good, the bad and the impossible is possible.

Son and retired peace officer

September 2, 2023

I still see you laughing and smiling and telling funny stories of encounters with drivers on traffic stops and the good stories of being able to help someone while on the job. I'll miss you forever.

Billie M Thompson
Widow

November 14, 2022

Went to high school with Pat...my brother,myself and Pat were very close...what a loss to the world!

Jerry padgett
High school friend

August 2, 2022

So it's been 27 years now, since you left us Pat...You have a great grandson now! Do you reckon he'll follow in your footsteps as your sons and daughters have? 3 of your kids are still in uniform and one is now a counselor at a boy's ranch...that? What a legacy you left...I'm still so proud of you!

Billie Thompson, proud wife and widow
Santa Cruz Co. S.O. Arizona

April 12, 2021

A man leaves from restaurant after having lunch with his wife and friends. While driving back to his office he hits a bad rain storm and loose control. He is hit on the driver’s side door by another vehicle. He has enough time to call for assistance, but dies do to his injuries.

This could have happen to anyone. Is there a difference from anyone else no, unless you knew this man’s history. He had been through a tough life. He served in the military from 1966-1969. He rough marriage with raising four children over 27 years. He had his demons of alcoholism, smoking and other skeletons. These demons and skeletons followed him throughout his life, friends and work.

He changed his destiny because of his actions and the actions of the others he influenced and influenced him. Today, he is not remembered for though demons he over came, but because of his will to survive. The story of will to his survival was not what everyone knows.

Early on in his life he was a wild one living on the edge and pushing his limits. He loved to ride anything that was fast. He rode dirt bikes to the extreme at the time for the 70’s. He was constantly getting hurt. He finally realized he needed to grow up and move on, but he did not loose his thrill for speed and danger. He moved his growing family to the country to make a safer life. I truly think he did not know what impact it would have on him or his family. This was truly life and unexpected adventure.

Somewhere in this life his wife found religion. You can say what you will about religion, but at this time in life, it was faith that kept us together. Today and the past years, it’s not the religion that made life it was the faith in the lessons learned from the Bible and though who taught it. We this comes the core of who you become.

He and his wife invited family and other to stay with us, until they could get on there feet. The family could not afford much other than a place to lay down at night and a home cooked meal. A lot of people came and went, uncle’s, cousin’s and friends.

You see he was a like able person and had a gift of gab. He could trade and was good with his hands. This provided a means for income over the years. He sold cars and fixed them. The family moved from place to place, usually only for a year or less.

At one point he thought he could ride horses, well he was not as good with horses as people. He got bucked off and stomped, that incident almost cost him his life.

Somewhere in this life, he found his calling and place with a his career.

He was a magnate to crime. Just showing up he would discover change some ones life.

During this time him and his wife raised there children. I know that sometime in this life, he found his faith.

He was truly a person you would never have expected. He was given the option to loose his job and his family or quit drinking. For most people thats a no brainer, try being an alcoholic and make that decision. He quite drinking.

This was a Life changed act for him and his family. He did not realize how much he changed.

Some one thought that he would make a good dog handler and he got a dog named Lucky. They were a great team seized thousands of pounds of drugs.

He was invited to assist at the academy to assist with training, which he loved to help.

He was later was shot and died on the table twice, but he survived. The doctor told him, if he did not quit smoking he would not live very much longer. He quit while in ICU. He said if he could make it through two weeks of ICU without smoking, he could make it through the rest of his life.

Along this lifeline, he learned that he was a teacher of people, but not in the way you think. He learned that the future was with our child and our adults. He moved to start programs for for kid’s. He started a program in Santa Cruz County called D.A.R.E. Camp. He was such an influence in the lives of not just the kids that attended the camp, but the volunteers and the parents. He never became a DARE Officer, but was truly happy with the success of the program.

He did not stop, he taught at the academy “The Will To Survive”. You see according to doctor’s he was never supposed to survive that shooting.

Over the past years, I think about about all the people that he influenced. At his service people showed up that he had arrested, soldiers, LEOs and the community. I have run into so many people that he influenced to change there lives.

Standing in an elevator in Washington DC, I spoke with a Border Patrol Agent. Turns out he was the first law enforcement on scene of the accident. Can I say what I learned, not really because that one chance encounter at that stage in my life was way different than now.

I was stopped by a Arizona State Troop for speed. She said she became an officer because of him.

I was talking to an officer and he asked me if he was my father, I said yes. He replied “ Your father is a Legend”. I never thought of him in that way.

They raised a family that they could be proud of, soldier, officers, and park rangers. He influenced us all through out our lives. He now has grandchildren, which are raised from the family’s experiences. These have led to teachers, parents, soldiers and students. We have to wait for that future, but it look promising.

Each Year with age, there is alway one more quote that I learn from him which was un said quote and has been molded to “ Do the best you can, learn from the best and worst experiences through your life. Take the best and worst, use it to become what ever you want to be. This is the making of your history.”

We make our own demons and skeletons. We all have them. How you control them is up to you.

Let your heroes, mentors, leaders, friends, enemies, demons and skeletons make you into a better human beings.

SGT Christopher Thompson
Huachuca City PD and son

September 3, 2020

Pat, it’s been a longtime and I apologize for that. Thirty four years, plus, ago I started my law enforcement career in Santa Cruz County. I have now retired after a rewarding career. I never forgot you, your infectious smile, and laugh. I always remember riding around the county in your Dodge RamCharger SUV. I never forgot your words of wisdom and guidance. This kept me alive and true. I hope I had the same affect molding the young minds I came across. May you continue to Rest In Peace and free of burden.

Former SCCSO Deputy #104 (aka “Bucky”)

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Retired Police Officer Oscar Ayon
Anaheim Police Department

September 2, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Thompson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 20, 2019

Sgt. Thompson,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Santa Cruz County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

September 2, 2019

Christmas was Dad's favorite Holiday. He was like a little kid, always testing the toys for me and my brother. His only grandson is following a family tradition and forth generation soldier. He would be proud!

Ofc Christopher Thompson
Huachuca City PD

December 20, 2018

There are still quite a few people that remember you. Mostly the kids that are now adults with families of their own. So you did make a difference. Your family will always remember.

Billie Thompson, Widow
Santa Cruz County Sheriff

September 7, 2017

Patrick, I'm still just as proud of you as I ever was. A lot of negative views of Law enforcement now....but I know it's just ignorance for the most part. Your sons and daughters that were and are in law enforcement still make me proud. It's not an easy profession to live in. I think of you everyday and my hair is mostly white now. It'll be 22 years pretty soon and I'll always miss you.

Billie Thompson
widow

May 14, 2016

Sergeant Patricio Thompson Badge # Juan 26, Thank you for all you did for me through out my career and for being my friend, I see Billie and your family at least once a year and every time I think of the of the memories you have left behind.

PS: I still cherish my coffee mug that you gave me 22 years ago

God Bless!
Lt. Gerardo Castillo #114
Support Division Commander
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

Lt. Gerardo Castillo
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office-Mentor

June 18, 2015

I talk about you often and the legacy you left behind. My cousins are great people, you raised them right. They still hurt for the loss of you but strive to make you proud. Their mom is an amazing lady who works hard to keep perspective in a world where too much hurt can easily derail someone. I graduated from the academy one year to the day after you passed. Can't believe 20 years + just went by. It's been a great career and I'm so glad I get to help our family carry on such noble service. I only hope to leave a legacy of honor and service, just like you, Uncle Pat!

Lt. Cathryn Masters
Niece, Pima County Sheriff's Department

May 11, 2015

Many thanks to all who have left memories of Pat here. It is so good to be reminded of who he was and to also learn of things I didn't even know about him. I will always be proud of him and his profession. His children have followed in his footsteps and I know he's too, is proud of them. My heart hurts for the families each time I read a new report of an officer down I cry with each and every one of them. I can only assure them that they, too, will heal in time.

Billie M. Thompson
Spouse

May 8, 2015

My Brother (John) and I, along with Pat were the high school three musketeers... there wasn't anything we didn't try back then...its a wonder we survived it all...during those high school years, we lost a total of 17 friends for various reasons...but Pat ,John and Jerry always managed to keep going. I was devastated when I heard the news about Pat... but no one can take away the smile about the High school years we had as John and I played in a band of our own and Pat was always there at our band jobs all over Tucson... myself, and my brother will remember Pat always..... Jerry and John Padgett...The Padgett Brothers Band, Class of '66

His High School Buddies

March 20, 2015

Well I never thought I would get to write about my dear friend and Supervisor Sgt.Pat Thompson (Barny) #126. It was a great Honor to have worked with Pat, I was with Pat on both occasions when he got shot and also at the accident scene. I have thought of Pat on many occasions and miss him dearly. I know that one day I will see Pat again and we will laugh about our many adventures as Deputies for the Sheriffs Dept., to those that read this Pat was an honest and dedicated Officer for Santa Cruz County, always thinking of his family and how to make the Department look good. Always your friend Tony Velasquez #102

Tony Velasquez
Deputy #102

January 23, 2015

Being immortal is in the eye of the child. A child looks up to his Father, Mother Grandparents and Aunts/Uncles as if they will be there forever. So many people seek immortality and will never reach it because they have forgotten the feelings of and thought of never loosing anyone so close. Next time you wish to live forever give a gift of immortality and remember the person for who they are at that time of your life. Thanks Dad for the memories.

Ofc. C. Thompson
Huachuca PD AZ

September 3, 2014

We are still so proud of you. You are in our thoughts and hearts forever...

Billie Thompson
wife

September 3, 2013

Today it has officially been 19 years and even though I have never met you I know that you are watching over me. I love and miss you Grandpa. :'(

Victoria Thompson
Granddaughter

September 2, 2013