By Mike Simmons
When I first met him in 1986, he reminded me of Clint Eastwood – big, quiet, with a gaze that could intimidate you if he wanted. But he was very agreeable. He was tall and muscular, and it seemed like nothing bothered him. Martin Patterson, known as “Pat,” was a veteran sergeant with the Pensacola Police Department. His massive, muscular size, made sense when I was told that he had been volted “Mr. Hawaiian Islands.” A man of few words, he was easy to work with.
I remember one time when, as a rookie, I was called to a man with a gun. Sgt. Patterson volunteered to back me up. When we arrived, the man was yelling, and making threats, but wouldn’t come outside.
In my mind – with my weeks of experience – I figured the guy would begin shooting at any moment. Of course, I looked to Sgt. Patterson, who was standing in front of the house in full view of the man inside. I thought to myself, either that man is crazy, or he is one of the bravest guys I know. Without saying a word, Sgt. Patterson slowly walked up the porch steps to the front door, with me behind him, kinda trying to hide. Then he walked in and took the gun away! I was proud of the way I, and the sergeant, handled the call.
On another occasion, Sgt. Patterson and I were working in the Desk Sergeant’s Office (DSO) when an angry complainant came in yelling at him. As he was yelling, Sgt. Patterson just listened as he was writing notes. Every time he tried to say something, the man cut him off. I thought to myself, “He is going to get angry in a moment…this is gonna be good!” But he just quietly tried to respond. Didn’t work. Finally…finally! Sgt. Patterson had had enough! With that intimidating look in his eyes, he looked up from his paper, slammed his pen down, and stood up. “Here it comes!” I said to myself. “He has had it. I get to watch him throttle this guy!” The big sergeant looked the man in the eye and quietly said, “That’s enough.” He then sat down, grabbed his pen, and began to write again. That was it? Well, the guy shut up, so I guess that was all that was needed.
After Sgt. Patterson retired, he moved to Louisiana. A few years ago, I met his daughter, Laura. We talked about what an amazing man he was. Laura told me that Pat was doing great, and still worked out every day. Every day? The guy must be in his 80s!
In preparing for this story, I checked to find out if Pat Patterson really was voted “Mr. Hawaiian Islands. I found a May 27, 1961 article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that stated, “Martin Patterson of Mits Health Studio was adjudged Mr. Hawaiian Islands.
An impressive man…
Mike
Very good story. My favorite sergeant was Fisher Edge, I met him while working at Northwest Florida Ambulance Service
Jim, I never worked for Sgt. Edge, but I understand he was quite a character!
Thanks Mike
I worked with Edge and Patterson. Both very impressive men.