'Officer Pat' Dies Of Diabetes Problems

FILE. ROBERT CHASE,THE ANN ARBOR NEWS

Officer James Patrick Nolan is shown in a photograph from 1988, the year he retired from the Ann Arbor Police Department. "Officer Pat," who manned the corner of Stadium and Main during U-M's home football games for nearly 30 years, died Thursday in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., from complications of diabetes.

'Officer Pat dies of diabetes problems

Policeman known for manning Stadium and Main on game days

BY PATTY MAHER

News Staff Reporter

When Officer James Patrick Nolan retired from the Ann Arbor Police Department in 1988, he told a reporter: “I’ll never go down as a Dirty Harry or Dick Tracy but the work I did certainly helped a lot of people.”

“Officer Pat” - who manned the corner of Stadium and Main in front of Michigan Stadium during home football games for nearly 30 years - died Thursday from complications of diabetes in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where he and his wife, Judy, had a retirement home. He was 66.

He will be remembered by many as a vibrant and charming player in Ann Arbor’s history. He wasn’t the first traffic cop at that corner, but he was the one who fashioned the job into a dual role: guardian of public safety and comedic entertainer.

“He had such a gregarious personality,” said Lt. Mike Logghe, department spokesman and author of “True Crimes and the History of the Ann Arbor Police Department.” “He was really the originator of not just getting people across the street, but making it part of a very family-oriented atmosphere down there that everyone could enjoy.”

Between 1969 and 1988, Nolan missed only one football Saturday, the day his father was buried.

Judy Nolan said he loved the work and that she and their five children, now spread out in three states, always enjoyed living with an Ann Arbor celebrity. Several times over the years, the children have met people in other states who remember Nolan for his presence at the football games, she said.

His two daughters made arrangements for him to attend the Ohio State vs. U-M game this fall but Nolan was too sick to attend.

“Both of our daughters went together and called him all throughout the afternoon,” Nolan said. “He really loved it. He loved that part of his job.”

In addition to his football game responsibilities, Nolan was responsible for developing safety programs throughout the city and training safety officers.

The family will have a memorial service in March at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brighton. The date and details have not yet been set.

Patty Maher can be reached at pmaher@annarbornew.com or fit (734)482-4868.