More accolades recently for Hall County Sheriff’s deputy Major Patterson – this time from the Fraternal Order of Police.
Patterson was nominated by the Gainesville/Hall County FOP Lodge 41 Georgia for the state Fraternal Order of Police Heroic Action Award (also known as the Award of Valor) for his actions the night of October 25, 2022.
That night, he was called to investigate a suspicious person who had stopped in the middle of F. Gilmer Road. The investigation escalated quickly and the man who was the apparent driver of the vehicle pulled a gun from his waistband and fired at Patterson. As gunfire was exchanged, the suspect was killed, Patterson avoided injury when a bullet fired by the suspect was stopped by the magazine holder in his duty belt.
“Deputy Patterson displayed tremendous bravery, courage, selflessness, and leadership in a rapidly-unfolding, frightening situation,” wrote HCSO SSgt. and local FOP Secretary Jennifer Watt in her nomination.
Patterson is a 12-year law enforcement veteran, serving with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol prior to joining the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
A Gainesville civic club recognized the officer earlier with one of its top law enforcement awards.