Type of Officer: Police Officer
Jurisdiction: Topeka
County: Shawnee
Death Date: 10/12/1995
Added to Memorial: 1996
Circumstances of Death: Gunshot
Shortly before 3:00 A.M. on the morning of October 12, 1995, officers from the Topeka Police Department approached the front door of an apartment in central Topeka. The exterior door was locked, and Officer Patterson swung a battering ram once, splitting the door in two. Inside the large unlit foyer, Officer Patterson struck the apartment door of the suspected drug dealer three times with the ram before a vertical panel flew into the apartment. The officer paused to adjust his grip, and as he continued to swing the battering ram a shot rang out from inside the apartment. Officer Patterson was struck by a bullet that passed through his upper left arm, then entered his chest. The suspect was shot by officers and apprehended at the scene. Officer Patterson died instantly from his wounds. He was wearing a protective vest at the time of the shooting.
Panel: 39