Atwood Police Officer Patrick “Pat” Carter Dies Unexpectedly

By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer

Patrick “Pat” Carter, 58, Atwood Police Officer since April, 2018, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 26, at his home near Cerro Gordo.

Officer Carter was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served at West Point. Prior to his service to the Atwood Police Department, he served on several departments including Nokomis, Witt, Maroa, and the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department. He served as the Chief of Police for the Village of Cerro Gordo for 13 years. He also ran his own plumbing business while serving as a part time officer for Atwood.

Atwood Police Chief Rob Bross spoke highly of his friend and fellow officer: “Officer Carter was an officer that did his job and did it well. He had compassion and good judgment, something you want in an officer. Pat made many friends of all ages wherever he went. I was privileged to work with him and call him my friend. Atwood has lost a good officer.” Chief Bross also said Pat was a seasoned officer you didn’t have to supervise; he knew exactly what to do.

Atwood Village Trustee Christina Stoltz had this to say about Carter. She stated, “Pat was hired as an Atwood Police Officer while I was Village President. He had a unique way of being friends while still doing his job. Atwood residents of all ages liked Pat and enjoyed visiting with him. He was interesting to talk to. He always had a smile and a kind word. I am thankful I got to know him; he will be missed.”

Delbert Powell has been a firefighter for 39 years and Cerro Fire Chief for the past seven years. Powell plans on retiring at the end of the month. He said that he and Pat had been friends for a long time and he will miss him. This is the statement he gave to this reporter, “Pat was good to work with. Any time you needed him; he was always there. He would stop by the fire house or I would stop by the police department and we would have nice conversations. We both loved guns and like to discuss them. Pat was never a problem, always a friend.”

In addition to being a newspaper reporter, I was a trustee for the Village of Atwood when Pat was hired and also chairperson of the Police Committee. Pat was a person that you liked the first time you met him. He was always sincere and liked his job. I always got the feeling that even though he seemed fairly easy going, when it came to doing his job as an officer, he was on top of the situation. Chief Bross and Chief Carter worked well as a team. He made many friends in Atwood and his presence will be missed.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, June 5, from 1-3 p.m. at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Cerro Gordo. There will be a law enforcement walk through, final salute and procession at the end of the scheduled time.

Persons who would like to honor Officer Carter are encouraged to line Rt. 32 in Cerro Gordo as the procession passes by. Our condolences to his wife of 20 years, Amy, and their family. See complete obituary in this issue.