Trailblazer dies at 81

Patti Lumpkin poses for a portrait in April 2023 at Project Hope in Ocala, which she helped found in 2007. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Style and Ocala Gazette]

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Posted October 29, 2024 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

Patti Lumpkin was known for her toughness, which she had to have to blaze trails as she did in law enforcement. But she also had a tender heart filled with care and concern especially for children and animals.

Lumpkin, 81, died Oct. 28 in Ocala.

She had a stellar career with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which began with some volunteer work. The “Gazette’s” sister publication, “Ocala Style” magazine, featured Lumpkin in its May 2023 edition with a lengthy article about her life and career. It noted that her interest in the MCSO started with a newspaper article.

“The sheriff’s office was looking for women interested in becoming part of a women’s volunteer auxiliary group,” recalled Lumpkin, who grew up in Anthony. “I thought that sounded interesting, so I went to the meeting. It was 1974 and there weren’t any women with the sheriff’s office. What they needed were women to help with the female inmates.”

Lumpkin became part of the auxiliary and within a year was a full-time secretary in the MCSO Criminal Investigation Division. By the end of 1975, she had graduated from the Officer Recruit Academy at Central Florida Community College (now the College of Central Florida) and became the MCSO’s first female patrol deputy.

Lumpkin said at the time, “I definitely had to prove that I could do the job and take care of myself with my fellow deputies. Actually, they came around quicker than the public did when it came to accepting a woman in a job people thought should just be for men.”

Lumpkin was the first female detective with the MCSO Criminal Investigation Division (1980); first female deputy hostage/crisis negotiator (1984); first female sergeant and supervised the Drug Task Force (1987); first female lieutenant as head of the Major Crimes Unit (1993); first female captain while becoming supervisor of the Detective Bureau (1996); first female major (1998); first MCSO female deputy to be invited to the FBI Command School for Officers (1999); and first female bureau chief/MCSO Youth & Community Service Bureau (2000).

With the latter, she supervised 30 full-time employees, 22 deputies and 1,500 volunteers. Programs started under her leadership included Crisis Intervention Services, Internet Crimes Against Children, Victims Services, Seniors At Risk Assistance and D.A.R.E.

Lt. Paul Bloom, the public information officer for the MSCO, noted in an email message that retired Maj. Patti Lumpkin passed away on Oct. 28, 2024, at the age of 81. She was hired on May 5, 1975, and retired on April 30, 2010.

Sheriff Billy Woods noted on the agency’s Facebook page: “Though I did not have the honor of working alongside Major Lumpkin, I know her influence runs deep in this agency. She paved the way for many and set a standard of excellence we will strive to carry forward. Major Lumpkin will be missed by all of us here at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.”

Lumpkin volunteered with a number of local organizations, including the Humane Society of Marion County, Project Hope, Community With A Heart and Interfaith Emergency Services.

“Patti was an amazing person in so many ways. I have known her for a very long time; when I was a detective at the sheriff’s office, she was my supervisor,” said Eddie Leedy, the current executive director of the humane society and formerly with the MSCO.

“Patti served as the HSMC’s executive board vice president and always supported staff. Her compassion for both animals and people was amazing. We are very saddened by her passing and words cannot explain the shock of losing such a wonderful friend. We keep her family and friends in prayer and are assured there is a very special place in heaven for her,” Leedy added.

April McDonald, executive director of Project Hope, a local faith-based nonprofit that offers a transitional and supportive housing program to women with children, said that “To know Patti was to know a woman of strength, wisdom, and advocacy. If she loved you, you knew it! She had no hesitation in sharing her opinion (usually with great humor) and believed in people—and in our community.”

McDonald said Lumpkin was one of the founding board members of Project Hope, which was established in 2006.

“Patti served as board president for multiple years and was currently president emeritus. She made weekly visits to see us and always had a funny story to tell,” McDonald noted.

“She loved her family and friends, and Patti loved the Lord with all her heart. Her accomplishments at MCSO were unique and admirable and she was a fierce advocate for women. She was proud of our program and how it was changing the lives of homeless mothers. What I personally admired most about Patti was the way she cherished relationships and made those close to her feel their importance in her life. As sad as we are that she has left her earthly home, I have no doubt we will see our friend again in heaven,” McDonald added.

“Patti was a longtime, faithful member of Community With A Heart,” said Monica Bryant, the lead organizer of the annual holiday help campaign. “The majority of the time she was the voice of reason on decisions we had to make when assisting families that needed help. She was a by the book lady. You knew where you stood with her. Nobody played with Maj. Lumpkin! Losing her is not just a loss for CWAH, but for our entire community.”

“Patti Lumpkin was the kind of person who always asked how you were doing first and genuinely listened to your response.  I could go for months without seeing her and when our paths crossed, she would remember what I had said the last time we spoke and ask for an update. She rarely gave me the chance to ask how she was doing. I think this sums up the kind of person she was …. always caring more about others than herself.  She was a blessing to this community and to those of us fortunate enough to work with her. Her warm spirit will be missed,” said Karla Greenway, chief executive officer of Interfaith Emergency Services.

Lumpkin’s niece, Beverly Rodia-Turner, noted on her social media Facebook page on Oct. 28, with a family photo showing a young Lumpkin in uniform, that, “These two women who I have the privilege and honor and being related to, taught me to be a strong woman and a loving mother and an awesome grandmother. Today Aunt Pat was given her wings to officially become the angel we all knew she was. My prayer is she has one amazing celebration with her parents and siblings and enjoys time at ‘the lake.’ I will hold your life lessons and teach them to my children and grandchildren. Forever in my heart.”

In the “Ocala Style” article, Lumpkin noted that, “I loved my job, and I hope that I made a difference. I’ve always believed in being part of my community and helping out as much as possible. We’re all in this together and we should help each other out. You just never know how much of a difference you can make in someone’s life.”

Editor’s note: This article will be updated as we learn about any arrangements for a service or memorial event.