City Recognizes Late Police Chief, Army Brigade

The Paducah City Commission approved resolutions at their meeting Tuesday night, honoring area soldiers and the legacy of a recently deceased leader.

The first resolution recognized the partnership between the City and the 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade of about 3,300 soldiers.  

It recalled their sacrifice and courage, while encouraging schools, churches, organizations, and residents to support the soldiers and their families as they continue to defend our democracy, security, and national values.

Col. Stanley Sliwinski, Commander of the 101st Airborne Division responded to the resolution.

"We believe that this partnership is a great way to connect with the citizens of Paducah. It's a great way for the citizens of Paducah to show their support for our unit that's deployed all over the globe, and we would like to continue to find ways to partner with the community," Sliwinski said.

The brigade's most recent partnership with Paducah was participation in the Veteran's Day parade.

Another resolution was passed honoring former Police Chief Robert Lee Patterson, who recently passed away. Several members of his family attended the meeting and thanked the commission for remembering his legacy as the first African-American Police Chief in Paducah and in the state of Kentucky.

Robert Patterson, Jr., said, "He wanted to set good examples for his family and for the people that he worked for. I know it meant a lot to him, he knew that whatever he said, he stood by, and I want to thank you all for this, it means a lot to us."