Broward Sheriff’s Office SWAT Sergeant Wears ‘QAnon’ Conspiracy Patch While Greeting Mike Pence In Florida

A SWAT sergeant from the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Florida found himself at the center of a controversy on Friday after he was seen wearing a “QAnon” conspiracy patch while greeting Vice President Mike Pence at an airport.

The man in question was Sgt. Matt Patten, who according to the Miami Herald is a 27-year veteran of the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Patten was among several deputies to meet Pence after the vice president arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Pence attended the 2018 Israeli-American Council National Conference held in Hollywood over the weekend.

In addition to showing the letter “Q,” Patten’s badge also reportedly bore the phrase “Question the Narrative.” “QAnon” is a right-wing conspiracy theory that began surfacing at several of President Donald Trump‘s rallies earlier this year. The theory claims that several prominent Democrats and liberal celebrities like Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are members of an international pedophilia ring. In August, Trump even invited a fervent QAnon supporter and Twitter troll named Michael Lebron to the White House.

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Pence’s official Twitter account reportedly shared a photo of him meeting with Patten and the other deputies, although it was later deleted. Jared Holt, a reporter for Right Wing Watch, also tweeted the picture. Holt also included a photo showing the QAnon patch being listed for sale on Amazon.

Today, Mike Pence posted a photo on Twitter with a Flordia law enforcement officer wearing a QAnon patch for sale on Amazon pic.twitter.com/vnOkk1l5Ee

— Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) November 30, 2018

A spokeswoman for Broward Sheriff’s Office reportedly told the Miami New Times Friday that Patten’s badge was “not unauthorized by BSO” and that the office would office would handle the situation “immediately.”

According to the Herald, Patten once received the local Sheriff’s Foundation Medallion for his accomplishments in anti-terrorism training.

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