Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Joseph Patterson was shot and killed after arresting a man wanted as a witness during the current term of the circuit court.
After arresting him, the man produced a gun and fatally shot Deputy Patterson.
Deputy Patterson was survived by his brother, who served as the county sheriff.
Survivors
Deputy Patterson was survived by his brother, who served as the county sheriff.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C83914D1- 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
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Patterson served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tompkinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Patterson 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Patterson's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Patterson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Patterson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Patterson was killed by gun; unknown type.