Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Patterson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he had encountered earlier in the day. During the first encounter Officer Patterson warned the man not to come near his dog as it may bite him. The man responded by cursing and yelling at him. During the second encounter another quarrel ensued and Officer Patterson attempted to place the man under arrest. The suspect gave Officer Patterson $5.00 for his appearance bond and then pulled out a revolver and shot Officer Patterson.
The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Officer Patterson had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Officer Patterson had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-61988C53- 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
35 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Patterson gave the Aiken Department of Public Safety 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Patterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Wade Hampton 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Aiken Department of Public Safety, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wade Hampton Patterson's cause is highlighted.
How Wade Hampton Patterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wade Hampton Patterson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wade Hampton Patterson was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Aiken Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
