Police Station Renamed in Honor of Late Police Chief Patterson

September 9, 2004

Dolton, IL—Mayor William "Bill" Shaw and the Dolton Board of Trustees will conduct a very special dedication ceremony in honor of former Dolton Police Chief, the late Howard “Pat” Patterson .” The Village will hold the ceremony to rename the police station the Howard “Pat” Patterson Police Center, commonly known as the Patterson Police Center on Saturday, August 14, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. in front of the police department, 14030 Park Avenue, Dolton, Illinois.

“Pat Patterson spent his entire life serving, defending and protecting the citizens of his community, and he continues to be truly missed," Mayor William "Bill" Shaw said. “I was privileged to work with him, and I can think of no better fitting tribute than to rename the Police Department in his honor.”

Patterson was the first African-American police chief for the Village of Dolton. He was appointed by Mayor Shaw on April 15, 1997, and took on the task of leading a department where few minorities were employed. Despite the difficulties this may have presented, under Patterson’s leadership, gang activity and violent crime in the Village significantly decreased. To this day, the Village of Dolton still practices some of the policies he established while in office, such as the foot and bike patrols. Patterson also instituted the first tactical team in Dolton Police history to address criminal activity with rapid response units. His efforts allows Dolton to continuously remain one of the top 10 safest communities to reside in the Southern Suburbs. Patterson enforced the law, but maintained respect for the citizens of the Village. His philosophy was to “Treat others like you want to be treated—with respect!”

Before taking on the role of police chief in the Village of Dolton, Patterson worked with the Chicago Police Department for 33 years. His duties included working security detail for former heavy-weight champion Muhammad Ali from 1974-1982, serving as chief of security for Shirley Chislom during her Presidential campaign, and working security detail during the Democratic National Convention that was held in Chicago. His last five years with the Chicago Police Department was spent in the major accidents investigation unit as an investigator.

Patterson will always be remembered for having a love for the game of golf, carrying a brand new set of golf clubs in the trunk of his car—but never actually playing the game. Chief Howard Patterson died on May 5, 2001. He left to cherish his memory his wife, Maude, daughter, Angela, brother, Roosevelt, and countless other family members and friends