Lakewood Police Sergeant Larry Patterson, who retired in 2010 after 30 years of service, has passed away.

Larry began his service in 1981, and was with the Traffic & Safety division of the LPD for close to 10 years before being  promoted to Sergeant in 2005.

“He’s a man I wish I could convince to stay,” then-Police Chief Rob Lawson said during the retirement ceremony. “He will be sorely missed.”

Police Chief Greg Meyer says he is saddened over Larry’s death.

”We are saddened to hear of the passing of retired Sergeant Larry Patterson,” Chief Meyer told TLS. “He was a member of the traffic and safety bureau where he stayed until he became a sergeant. He worked in patrol with me for several years until he retired. He was a devoted family man, father and grandfather. Our hearts go out to his family and he will be missed by so many people.”