Born Patrick Floyd Garrett in Alabama in 1850, he is most famous for the killing of "Billy-the-Kid" but he came out west in 1869 and was a Buffalo Hunter, Cowboy, and even a Hog rancher. He married in 1880 and had eight children one of which was blind and would become the associate of the famous Helen Keller. Pat Garrett knew "Billy-the-Kid" in his early days in New Mexico, and "The Kid" was a major player in the Lincoln County War. In 1880 Garrett was elected Sheriff and had to arrest "Billy" and his gang.

A trap was set and most of the gang got away, but later surrendered at Stinking Springs, and Garrett put "Billy" in jail. However, "The KId" killed two guards and escaped and Pat Garrett had to chase him again. He went to a Pete Maxwell's and while waiting in the dark, "Billy-the-Kid" came into the room and Pat Garrett shot him through the heart, and he died immediately. Garrett went into ranching and held some law enforcement jobs.

In February 1908, Pat Garrett was out with a couple of friends, and had dismounted the buggy to relieve himself, and was shot through the back of the head. Wayne Brazel was involved in a feud with Garrett and claimed later that he killed Garrett in self defense.