Sheriff’s Office sergeant wore a QAnon conspiracy patch while greeting Pence.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matt Patten, left, was photographed wearing a “QAnon” conspiracy patch on his official uniform while greeting Vice President Mike Pence in South Florida on Friday. The photograph, published online by Pence’s official Twitter account, was soon deleted.
Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to South Florida this Friday was not without controversy, as a photograph was posted on the internet and shows a SWAT sergeant from the Broward Sheriff’s Office greeting Pence while wearing a QAnon conspiracy patch in his official uniform.
Sgt. Matt Patten, a 27-year veteran in the sheriff’s office, was among an officer corps at the scene when Pence landed at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport before an appearance at the National Conference of the Israeli Council. American of 2018 that will take place this weekend in Hollywood.
The photograph won everyone’s attention after its publication on the internet on Friday afternoon through the official Twitter page of Pence. In the photograph, his patch, which includes a capital “Q” along with the phrase “Question the Narrative”, is linked to an unfounded and far-right conspiracy theory born online that affirms the existence of an international network of pedophilia affiliated with prominent democrats.
Pence’s tweet was deleted later. Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright told the Miami New Times on Friday that Patten’s patch “is not authorized by BSO” and that the incident “will be resolved immediately” by the agency.
Patten, formerly a member of the BSO National Security Office, was a recipient of the Medallion of the local Sheriff’s Foundation for his experience in counterterrorism training.
The QAnon conspiracy rebounded in the main circles after several attendees at an August rally by President Donald Trump in Tampa were photographed renouncing signs or wearing clothing with the symbols of the conspiracy.
The news of Patten’s apparent support for the conspiracy led to criticism of the deputy and his agency, and speculation of Patten’s aptitude to serve. The followers of the conspiracy considered him a “hero” in a series of online publications.
