Roll of Honor
Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr.
Incident
Patrol Officer Johnnie Patterson was shot and killed at approximately 4:30 am after making a traffic stop at the intersection of 21st Street SW and Avenue D. The driver he stopped fled on foot, with Officer Patterson in pursuit. Officer Patterson called for backup but was not heard from again. Approximately one hour later, his body was found by a Polk County canine officer in a wooded area with a fatal gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspect was arrested several days later, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Officer Patterson's father was with him on a ride-along at the time of the incident. Officer Patterson had served with the Winter Haven Police Department for seven months.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, father, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-E1BF599F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Patterson served with the Winter Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Patterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Winter Haven Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Johnnie Norris Patterson, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Winter Haven Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
