Roll of Honor
Incident
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Bryce Patten was shot and killed at about 10:40 pm while manning a roadblock on Casitas Pass Road near Santa Ana Road. Deputy Patten had set up the roadblock in response to a robbery of a nearby store. He was waiting for a backup deputy to arrive when he stopped a car and took the driver's identification. The subject then opened fire on him, shooting him 11 times. The man fled without retrieving his identification cards. The subject was a convicted felon and was convicted of Deputy Patten's murder. He was sentenced to death and subsequently executed at San Quentin Prison on October 18th, 1961. Deputy Patten was a high school history teacher and had volunteered as a reserve deputy for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-CA024409- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bryce. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Patten gave the Ventura County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Sheriff Patten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Bryce N. Patten is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ventura County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bryce N. Patten's cause is highlighted.
How Bryce N. Patten Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bryce N. Patten is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bryce N. Patten was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
