Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Roy Patterson and his 18-year-old son were shot and killed by three robbery suspects on US 160 west of Lamar. The sheriff had been called at home at 4:00 am and notified that a gas station had just been robbed. The sheriff and his son immediately got dressed and responded to the area. The two parked their vehicle along the roadway and waited for the suspect vehicle to pass. When they saw the vehicle, they immediately overtook it and waved it over. After speaking with the three occupants, the sheriff took one of the men's wallets and told them to turn around and drive back towards town as he followed. The suspect vehicle drove a short distance before pulling over. Two of the occupants approached the sheriff's car, pulled out their .32 caliber pistols, and told the sheriff to give them his gun. The sheriff immediately drew his weapon and fired a shot. The two men then returned fire, fatally shooting the sheriff. One of the suspects then shot the sheriff's son in the head, killing him. All three suspects fled the scene and remained at large for almost one year. They were eventually apprehended, confessed to the murders, and sentenced to life in prison. Two of the men escaped prison in 1948 but were apprehended. Sheriff Patterson was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served as Sheriff of the Barton County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children, including his son, who was murdered along with him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-36B1EB57- 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 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.
Sheriff Patterson gave the Barton County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lamar 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
Roy E. Patterson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Roy E. 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Barton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy E. Patterson's cause is highlighted.
How Roy E. Patterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy E. Patterson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy E. Patterson was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Barton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
