Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Patnaude was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a bank robbery suspect. The suspect had robbed an East Providence bank and fled to a home on Sherman Street in Pawtucket where he took three hostages. As Patrolman Patnaude exited his patrol wagon the suspect opened fire with a .30-.30 rifle, striking him. He was transported to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds an hour later. The suspect, 27, an escaped mental patient, was arrested and committed in a mental institution. In 1966 he was declared sane, tried for bank robbery and convicted. In a chilling coincidence, Patrolman Patnaude was shot near the house in which he was born and died on the lawn of the house in which he grew up in. Patrolman Patnaude had been with the agency for over 25 years and had planned to retire in December.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RI-3EE3CF32- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Patnaude served with the Pawtucket Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawtucket community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Patnaude.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles Patnaude 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 97,775 officers honored here.
In RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 45.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pawtucket Police Department, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Patnaude's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Patnaude Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Patnaude is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Patnaude was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pawtucket Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
