Roll of Honor
Thomas F. Patton, II
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Patton suffered a fatal heart attack while chasing a suspect.
Officer Patton responded to assist another officer who was in foot pursuit of a man who had been harassing two women inside a convenience store. When that officer tried to make an arrest, the subject spit in his face and fled on foot. The officer pursued and called for assistance. Officer Patton responded and joined in the pursuit, which went through the woods and several backyards.
At Glenmont and Mayfield Roads, Officer Patton bent over, rested his hands on his knees for a moment and then continued running. He collapsed shortly after. He was transported to Huron Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The subject he was chasing plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Officer Patton had served with the Cleveland Heights Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his 4-month-old daughter, fiancee, five sisters, and his father, Ohio State Senator Thomas F. Patton.
Survivors
He is survived by his 4-month-old daughter, fiancee, five sisters, and his father, Ohio State Senator Thomas F.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-905C2818- 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.
Police Officer Patton gave the Cleveland Heights Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Patton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas F. Patton, II is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 43 of 991 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.3% of this state's fallen. That is 0.3 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Cleveland Heights Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas F. Patton, II's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas F. Patton, II Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 4 years
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas F. Patton, II is highlighted in Mar.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cleveland Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
