First person: Called to serve

Emily Patterson bought aviator-style sunglasses and wore them home one day. Her husband laughed at her as soon as he saw her. Emily Patterson, 23, is a police officer in Farwell and does not wear aviators at work, though many police officers do.

Police record: I’ve been an officer for six months. I didn’t always want to be a cop, but I felt a calling to become a police officer. I felt that this is what I felt God wanted me to do with my life.

The academy: My husband and I went through the academy together. He had been wanting to go, and when I made my decision to go, he surprised me and said he wanted to go with me.

Favorite things: My favorite part of the job is the people. I love getting to know new people. And I like seeing the law working the way it’s supposed to. Sometimes it doesn’t, but you still live for the times it does.

What’s playing: I usually listen to a Christian radio station. But I don’t have a favorite band. I like all sorts of music.

Soft spoken officer: I sometimes have to force myself to assert my authority. But sometimes it works to my advantage. People don’t want to be yelled at; they want to have a civil conversation.

One woman show: I’m the only officer here in Farwell. It hasn’t been too bad yet, but after a while, I’m sure it’ll get a little stressful.

Choose a superpower: I would fly. Just because I like to enjoy nature. I’d like to fly and see everything below me. My favorite part of life is appreciating what we have been given, everything around us.

Describe yourself in one word: Different. I see a different side of human nature that is not always, I guess, attractive. It takes a different kind of person to see it and know it’s still part of human nature and to accept it and deal with it. My husband always tells me that you have to be responsible for your own happiness or your own misery.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Liliana Castillo