'Cpl. Cupid' Makes Wedding Dreams Come True: 1 Year Ago

Editor’s note: This story was published on Sept. 26, 2014.

Pulling people over for an expired tag is just part of the daily routine for a Pasco County deputy.

What’s not part of the routine is actually having the person pulled over keep a promise to set the paperwork straight the very next day. What’s even less common is having that person call and say thanks about a month later and invite the deputy who made the traffic stop to an upcoming wedding.

But that’s exactly what happened to Cpl. Preston DiVirgilis.

DiVirgilis pulled over Holiday resident Kenneth Schroeder, 51, on Aug. 11. When Schroeder told him he’d take care of the issue the next day, he meant it.

Schroeder reported to the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office Aug. 12 and that’s where he met Patricia Hopkins, 49, who waited on him.

Both widowed, the pair hit it off right away.

“We just talked like we’ve known each other for 30 years,” Schroeder recalled.

After a short chat, Schroeder paid his fees, picked up his registration and left, but couldn’t help thinking about the lady behind the counter. So, he asked his niece, Sarah Madera, who works at the same office to see if Hopkins might be interested in talking more.

As it turned out, she was. The pair were married during a small ceremony on Sept. 20.

DiVirgilis, as the official matchmaker, was invited. When he arrived, however, Schroeder made sure there was one more surprise for the man he credits for helping him meet his lady love – he asked him to be his best man.

The 15-year veteran of the Pasco County force obliged.

“It was fun, it really was,” DiVirgilis said. “The wedding went fantastic.”

DiVirgilis said receiving a call of thanks after a traffic stop is rare, but getting a call to say, “‘I found my future spouse’ never (happens).”

While DiVirgilis is happy to have played a role in bringing two people together, he’s also putting up with some good-natured ribbing around the office. Fellow deputies have now dubbed him “Cpl. Cupid.”

“I even have family saying I need (to) hook them up,” he said. “I take it in stride.”

Photo Credit: Kenneth and Patty Schroeder asked Cpl. Preston DiVirgilis to serve as their best man during their Sept. 20 wedding. Photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office