On this episode of the Fallen But Not Forgotten Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Patterson.

Sarah has a very compelling story. While situations like hers aren’t entirely unique, what sets her apart is her unrelenting fight to keep her job in the face of false accusations.

Sarah Patterson served for 12 years in Los Angeles as an officer, detective, and field sergeant. She has fought to protect her career from an unjust termination. In this episode, we focus on how she handled the stress, challenges, and uncertainty of being let go from an agency she once took great pride in serving.

Her commitment to her faith, her family, her health, and her career has given her a strength that is truly admirable. Today, she works in real estate and is attending law school, with the goal of helping others in law enforcement who may one day face similar challenges.

She also launched her own show, After the Storm Podcast, an inspiring platform that’s well worth a listen.

Thank you for supporting what we do—I hope you enjoy this episode with Sarah Patterson.

After the Storm Podcast Website: https://afterthestormpodcast.com

To listen to the details of her story:

https://youtu.be/_gVphlaEs-Y?si=1tjIR5vnrTFP1aZ6

TIMELINE:

00:01:16 - What can we learn?

00:03:18 - "Moral Injury"

00:06:00 - Betrayel vs Entitlement and Trickery vs Pride

00:15:00 - Navigating the nature of the complaint system

00:25:00 - The darkest moments of being relieved from duty

00:34:00 - Representing yourself in court and strength from God

00:39:00 - Relief, redemption and freedom.

00:44:00 - A servant’s heart.

00:48:00 - The job of a supervisor.

00:50:37 - Podcasting in "In Our Little World”.

00:54:30 - The Scarlet Letter Culture in Law Enforcement.

01:00:00 - The transitioning of identity.

01:03:00 - Limitless, positive impacts: "I have a lot of good to do"

01:08:00 - Dedicated to Los Angeles Police Officer III Nicholas Choung Lee

Imagine being a cop today and making less then $500 a month, no bullet proof vest, no Taser, no SWAT to call out to & only 6 rounds in your gun…

How would you fare?

________________________________________________

On this podcast episode I was joined by fellow officer, Andre Burton, as my co host.

We had the honor and privilege of interviewing a retired Deputy Chief from the LAPD, Maurice Moore, Academy Class of 5-61...

Maurice Moore is originally from Kansas City, Kansas. He grew up during a time when segregation still existed. He embarked on several journeys along the way for love, for his career and to discover his family roots.

Maurice Moore has had an illustrious career to say the least that spanned 4 decades. He joined the department in 1961. He’s been through two major riots, numerous chiefs, high profile cases, several fallen officers, historic police scandals & so many cultural changes over time. He has moved around and worked many of the agency's geographical stations, he’s worked several specialized units and moved up the ranks to Deputy Chief before he retired in 2002.

Although this podcast is almost 2-hours in length, we hardly touched the surface of all the historical events that Maurice has experienced as a police officer. I’m hoping we can podcast with him again so we can focus on key eras in his career. It was a pleasure to hear about his experience, leadership, positivity and sound advice he gives for the modern day cops.

As a side note, some sound edits were made to omit certain officer names, by his request, while still keeping the integrity of his story in place.

________________________________________________

"RAP Sheet"

1961:
Police Academy Class of 5-61
Narcotics Division
Central Station
University Station
Hollywood Station
North Hollywood Station
Juenile Division
Intelligence Division

1968:
Promoted to Sergeant
77th Station
Intelligence Division
Vice

1975:
Promoted to Lieutenant
Team Policing
Personnel Division
Metropolitan Division, C-Platoon
Office of Operat ions
Executive Officer

1980:
Promoted to Captain
Wilshire Captain
Captain-II
South Traffic Division
Captain-III
Southwest Station
West Los Angeles Station
Internal Affairs
Admninistrative VICE

1991:
Promoted to Commander.
Central Bureau
Headquarters Bureau
West Bureau
Chiefs Office

Year TBD
Promotoed to Deputy Chief
Special Assistant

Retired in 2002

________________________________________________

TIMELINE:

00:02:09 - A kid from Kansas
00:03:00 - The road to California and the love story that drove him back
00:06:00 - “The Green Book”
00:11:00 - Segregation, schools & local police
00:14:00 - Class of 5-61: The Police Academy & Jack Webb’s influence
00:26:00 - “Bob” the undercover narcotics rookie
00:35:00 - Probation, then vs now
00:42:00 - Police work before S.W.A.T.
00:49:00 - 1965 Watts Riots & the 1992 LA Riots
00:54:00 - Community Problems Unit
00:57:00 - The “Us Organization” vs militant groups
01:00:00 - Evergreen Cemetery: Families that built Los Angeles
01:02:00 - "The Onion Fields” Ian Campbell and lessons learned
01:07:00 - 10 police chiefs, leadership & the trifecta of LA’s power dynamic
01:15:20 - Personal leadership style
01:28:00 - Career advice & regrets
01:38:00 - Finding his roots in Kaufman, Texas
01:45:00 - "The Brown Derby” & historical gems of Los Angeles
01:47:00 - Dedications
01:52:00 - "I walked away from there, shattered”
01:53:30 - A final dedication

Daniel Malek is a Marine in the United States Marine Corps. He served between 2000-2008 as a corporal and served in Iraq as an OIF Vet. He Joined the LAPD in 2005 where he has worked patrol, the gang unit & is now a field training officer, where he trains probationary officers.

Malek and I have worked patrol at the same precinct for the better part of 10 years. Him and I have always had intense conversations about what it takes to be on patrol. Through the years I have seen his progression and maturity develop as we have gone through politically murky times.

He’s a genuine warrior, father and a real cop’s cop. After podcasting with him I can truly say that both young coppers AND brass can learn a ton from his insight and approach to policing.

Thanks for listening and supporting what we do.

I hope you enjoy this podcast.

TIMELINE:

00:02:00 - The Beard: Yay or Nay

00:05:00 - Tradition: Marine Corp vs Law Enforcement

00:08:00 - The "Dragon Wagon"

00:14:00 - Training: Applying USMC principles to law enforcement

0018:00 - Transitioning: From Marine to Street Cop

00:28:00 - Caliber of Probationers, then vs now

00:37:00 - "Shogun” by James Clavell

00:44:00 - Transformation

00:47:00 - Muay Thai

00:55:00 - Physical Fitness

00:58:00 - Retirement

00:59:00 - Hypothetically speaking, advice and insight to his daughter the police officer.

01:08:27 - In honor of Marine Sgt. Major Robert J. Cottle, Killed in Action March 24, 2010