Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Warden Patterson. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Ty, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Ty's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Ty's life was about so much more than the way he died. Ty will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Warden Patterson, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost five years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 24, 2007

Ty

We have never met but one day will in Glory and have a Trooper friend in common who talked often of your friendship. Hope to be in the Great State of TX this Feb (2008) and be sure that we both will spend time honouring your service. Matthew 5:8 brother.

Sergeant, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sgt, RCMP

December 18, 2007

I miss that smile. I think about you and the family all of the time. I wish you where here to tell me how beautiful heaven looks. I remind myself "God is good at all times" and I am continually praying for your family. Love ya.

Game Warden Mack Chambers
Tx. Parks and Wildlife

December 4, 2007

"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

TY WAS A GREAT GUY AND WE MISS HIM. REST BROTHER.

SGT. D.J. ROGERS
Cleburne PD

October 24, 2007

I was deeply saddened to hear the news today. I had the privilege of knowing Ty, his brother and parents growing up and always had the highest respect for them. I was always impressed with Ty's honesty and integrity and I thought it very fitting when I found out he was training to become a game warden. Ty was always a leader and someone you could count on. My heart goes out to the Patterson family for thier loss.
Thank you, Ty for your service and sacrifice to this great state. You will always be remembered as a hero.

Cal David Booth
Former Seguin Matador

August 12, 2007

God bless you for your service and sacrifice.

August 2, 2007

You will be remembered by all of us and we are very grateful for your contributions to our profession. May you be blessed and may your family feel the strength of our thoughts and prayers.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of my department,

Officer Matthew Lewek
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

July 19, 2007

I would like to express my condolences to the Patterson family. I did not know Ty well, but I worked with him on occasion, and I found him to be great cop and person. We at the Sheriff's Office knew we could count on him when we needed backup. He was a hero in more way than one. He was also involved in the rescue effort for Kevin Brown in Alvarado, the two year old boy who wandered away and was missing for 69 hours. We will be honoring Ty at our awards banquet this year. We will remember him with love.

Deputy Stephen Brownlow
Johnson County Sheriff's Office

July 6, 2007

My prayers go out to your family, friends, and entire department. You gave the ultimate sacrifice ! I honor your service. "A Hero does not become a Hero by their death, but by how they lived their lives." With Angels'Wings, you'll be 10-4 in the heavens above! God Bless!

Police Dispatcher Sara Singleton
Howard County Police Communications 911 Center

June 28, 2007

I wanted to let the Patterson family know that I have been keeping you in my thoughts daily the past month. While each of us grieve differently, we all mourn the loss of Ty. My only offering of comfort is the quote I used at Justin's funeral 3 months ago "While no one can take away today's sorrow, may the memories bring us joy tomorrow"

Greg Hurst
Brother of Justin "JP" Hurst
EOW 3-17-07

Greg Hurst

June 23, 2007

Texas has lost another of her BRIGHT STARS, but now there is another one in heaven. Ty was so special here, he was called to duty in heaven. To the Patterson family, just know that Ty is Shining Down on us all. He continues to cast his Special Light on us all.

Blessings Be With You.

SSgt. Renee RunningDeer
Texas State Guard

June 20, 2007

There are truly no words that can express enough sorry or support to relieve any of the pain felt at the lost of a child. However; I would like to at least offer my most heart felt condolences to Ty’s entire family for their loss and assure them that he will be remembered.

Words spoken by Ty’s father really hit home with me “He was a young man other young men would like to be like and a man other fathers would like their sons to be like, He did nothing, ever, to cause me shame, and I am super proud of him and proud to be his father. I always will be.”

My own son graduated from the 2005 Texas Game Warden Academy with Ty Pattereson and I feel the same pride in him that Mr. Patterson does in Ty.

A Warden stated “There are only 500 of us in the State of Texas and it takes a special person to be a Game Warden, not everyone can do this job.”

“Ty died doing that job which he loved. He died serving a family dealing with the tragic loss of their child. Ty and other wardens are that type of individual. The type who are willing to offer their strength, training, knowledge, time and unfortunately in some cases their life for a family they’ve never met, to help them cope with the loss of their child.

Ty’s untimely passing has reminded us that when we wake each morning, we should hug those we love and tell them how much we care. For we only have that moment, the next are not promised and they should never be taken for granted.

God’s will is done; Ty is now with his Lord. It is the burden of us who live on to accept it and keep Ty’s memory forever alive in our hearts.

May Ty’s ultimate sacrifice and service to the citizens of Texas always be remembered, and may he rest in peace in the hands of his Lord.

Douglas Zappe
Father of a Texas Game Warden

Douglas Zappe
Father of Texas Gamewarden

June 18, 2007

Ty was an awesome man and a good 'ol boy. After being around his family it is no wonder. We'll miss you man.

Jared Self
TPWD Game Warden/Classmate

June 17, 2007

RIP fellow LEO. My Condolances to the family and friends of the fallen officer. AS one of my colleges said before, we may have worked in different locations and wore different uniforms, but the loss is felt throughout the US amongst all Law Enforcement Officers. Rest well my friend, we will continue the fight. Rest now, we'll take it from here. 10-42 my friend, 10-24. RIP.

CBP Officer
Customs and Border Protection Upstate NY

June 16, 2007

My family and I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to you for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May your family and friends be comforted by the hand of God in knowing that you served well as a warrior and are in Heaven where those that choose to follow Christ as you have, will join you some day. Bart

Police Officer Robert (Bart) Catlett
Houston Police Department

June 16, 2007

God allows us all the time we need to get to know the best people in the world. I thank God everyday for having allowed me the pleasure of getting to know and working with Ty. I pray that his family feels the serenity, the warmth and comfort that Ty shared with us each time we called upon him and know that we are all blessed to have had Ty as a part of the Johnson County family.

Tamilla Ledbetter Dispatcher
Johnson County Sheriffs Office

June 15, 2007

Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Trooper
Massachusetts State Police

June 12, 2007

Although, I may have not known or met you, I am deeply saddened by your loss. We may have worn different uniforms and worked in different jurisdictions, but, we fight the same battles. You've done us proud. Rest In Peace brother and rest assured that we will continue the fight. God Bless you, your family, and the members of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

CBP Officer - Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

June 12, 2007

The first time i met Game Warden Ty Patterson...
I was finishing up my hunter safety instructor application and had only the interview left to do. After a brief conversation over the phone, Ty agreed to meet me at a local cafe to do the interview. I knew i would be a shew- in if i feed him lunch...lol When i laid eyes on him i thought...Man, this is Johnson County's new Game Warden??
This guy would make you think twice about catching one too many fish.
After our interview i knew I had a friend for life, little did i know how short that friendship would be...
Thank you Ty, Love ya Bro!
Thank you Lord!
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Patterson!

Jim
Friend

June 11, 2007

Rest in peace, my brother. We've got the watch from here. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Officer J.W. Propst
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Charlotte, NC

June 11, 2007

no greater love than he who lays down his life for a friend. Rest in Peace brother we have the watch from here

Don Hodges Patrolman

June 11, 2007

Rest easy brother, we will take it from here. HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

PO S.Harris #273
Cicero PD Cicero,IL 3rd Watch

June 11, 2007

God bless you, Ty. My prayers are with your family at this time, knowing all too well what they are going through. Watch over your loved ones with the rest of your brothers in blue who have gone before you.
RIP

Friend from Michigan

June 11, 2007

"A child is a butterfly in the wind.
Some can fly higher than others,
But each one flies the best that it can..."

From the way Ty carried himself and the professional demeanor he possessed, I know that Ty did not fly higher than others, Ty soared over them.

May we take it upon ourselves to live the life that Ty wanted for all he most honorably served.

God Bless you Patterson Family, the State of Texas mourns along your side.

Patrolman
Stephenville, Texas

June 11, 2007