Pat Justice, a Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) at the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Southern Division is the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Volunteer of the Month for February 2022. She was nominated by Carlos Lacarra, the Community Relations Officer and Stan Tom, the RSVP Administrator.
Pat Justice has been with SDPD since 1976. For more than 45 years, Pat has performed many duties and has taken on many lead roles. She was the first member of the RSVP Academy in 1992 and she served as the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and Captain, as well as the Southern Division Captain’s Advisory Board.
Pat has also been involved in many of SDPD’s community service efforts, such as the Teddy Bear Drive to benefit Rady’s Children’s Hospital, and food collection drives for families experiencing food insecurity in both San Diego and Tijuana. Pat also has served as a GreeterAt-Large at the International Police Chiefs’ Convention, representing SDPD and welcoming Police Chiefs and their representatives from around the world.
Pat has been the food expert for the holidays, providing the turkeys for the traditional Thanksgiving turkey fry and preparing full Christmas holiday meals for on-duty officers. Continuing with the holiday spirit, she served with Shop-with-a-Cop since its inception and has transformed into Mrs. Clause for the past 30 years.
Due to Pat’s many incredible accomplishments and her dedication to SDPD, May 31st, 2011, was recognized by the San Diego City Council as Pat Justice Appreciation Day!
Pat states she has “loved every minute” of her more than 44 years of volunteer service. Working with You Are Not Alone (YANA), the program that checks in on frail older adults who live alone, has been a highlight for her. Pat explains, “When [the clients] see you, they brighten up. Sometimes we’re the only ones they see.” Pat encourages anyone who is looking for a volunteer role to consider the YANA program “because you will meet the most wonderful people.”
Thank you, Pat, for your years of dedicated service! Your passion for volunteering shows through your many decades of dedication to this work!
