Pat Thomas grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was with the Douglas County Sheriff’s office for 27 years. He proudly served from 1989 until 2016, when he then retired here in Cape Coral, along with his wife Suzi. He and Suzi have 2 daughters, Chelsea, 25, and Kelsey, 28.
Pat first went to school to be a history teacher, then social work, but decided those careers were not for him. He finally earned a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology, all while working 60 hours a week at the jail to pay for his own schooling.
During his tenure with the sheriff’s office, he shared how he solved a cold case murder that took place the year he was born. Pat had been promoted to Sergeant and oversaw the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Office. He was asked to look over the cold cases and cases considered questionable.
Pat also oversaw the Nautical Services Unit, doing search and rescue, along with recovery. He was a member and supervisor of the Rapid Deployment Unit (the guys in the turtle uniforms at riots.) He was an accident investigator and worked in fugitive warrants. Even worked a few escaped prisoner cases. He also played the bag pipes and was instrumental in starting the Douglas County Sheriff’s Pipe & Drum Band. And he was in charge of the honor guard for many years.
While serving, Pat earned many awards, including the Medal of Merit for his work with the Douglas County Honor Guard. He received several accommodations, including one for locating a serial rapist.
Pat inherited his passion for law enforcement. His mother was in the FBI, where she was an evidence technician and worked several high-profile cases, including the Oklahoma City bombing case and the Bill Clinton / Monica Lewinsky scandal. His dad was the elected Sheriff of Sarpy County, a suburb of Omaha, where he was re-elected 8 times! Pat also has an uncle who has a police detective in Nebraska, and another uncle who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Kansas.
After 30+ years in law enforcement, Pat retired last year. He could not wait to move to Florida and begin the next phase of his life. He and his wife just bought a boat and are enjoying fishing and exploring. Pat is a member of the Cape Coral Power Squadron.
In his retirement, Pat and Suzi decided to open a coffee franchise, Scooter’s Coffee at 1014 Del Prado Blvd S. They have become active with the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, working toward building a no-kill animal shelter right here in the city they have grown to love.
Pat, thank you for your service to the community!
