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Incident
Sergeant William Paterson was killed in an automobile crash during a high-speed chase. The suspect's car broadsided Sergeant Paterson's patrol car at U.S. 30 and Randolph Street as it was being pursued westbound into Lake County from Porter County. One of the three juvenile suspects in the other vehicle was also killed. The three juveniles were escapees from Starke County and were driving a stolen vehicle. Sergeant Paterson was a United States Air Force Reserve and Lake Michigan Coast Guard Reserve Operation Desert Storm veteran and had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, two stepsons, mother, and brother. One of his sons currently serves as a commander with the department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, two stepsons, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Paterson gave the Lake County Sheriff's Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Crown Point community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William G. Paterson served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lake County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 44. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
William was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 25% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 11.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William G. Paterson served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit William G. Paterson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
