Patterson becomes administrative assistant

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr T.J. PATTERSON (left) is catching on fast as admininstrative assistant at the Jasper County Sheriff's office. Sheriff Ronnie McBride confirmed he will run for sheriff again in 2008.

T.J. Patterson isn't too concerned that the pace in the Jasper County Sheriff's department can be tough. She admits there's a lot to learn, but after a tour in Iraq for a year, she's looking forward to another challenge.

She will serve as administrative assistant to Sheriff Ronnie McBride and Chief Deputy Jack Jett.

"I love working for the county," Patterson said. She worked 5 1/2 years in the county clerk's office before going to Iraq, where she worked as a labor foreman, in project controls, and finally in MRW (morale, recreation and welfare).

Patterson said she returned to Jasper just in time for Hurricane Rita. In fact, she was on her way home as Rita was coming in, and her return trip had to be re-routed to avoid the storm.

Patterson worked briefly for the district attorney's office as a fill-in, and then for the last 1 1/2 years she has been in customer service with the city. She said she applied at the sheriff's office when she first returned from Iraq.