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Incident
Assistant Chief Johnny Patterson succumbed to injuries sustained on January 13th, 2022, when he was struck by a car while directing traffic on Noah Curtis Street in front of Shannon Primary School.
He was directing traffic at the end of the school day when a vehicle struck the back of his patrol car, which was then pushed into him. He was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center where he remained on life support until his organs were donated on January 21st, 2022.
Assistant Chief Patterson had served in law enforcement for 28 years and was assigned to the Lee County School District as a school resource officer.
Assistant Chief Johnny Patterson succumbed to injuries sustained on January 13th, 2022, when he was struck by a car while directing traffic on Noah Curtis Street in front of Shannon Primary School.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and several grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Assistant Chief Patterson gave the Verona Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Verona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief Patterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Verona Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Johnny is one of 89 officers lost to accidents in MS, 25.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Johnny is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Johnny is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 1 officer in MS was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 64 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 4.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Johnny was 58. Of the 83 lost to accidents in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 52; the middle age was 43. Johnny had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Johnny was 58. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Johnny had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Johnny was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Johnny had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 4.5% of these deaths in MS; May holds the most, 16.9%. Fridays: 16.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Verona Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 25.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Verona Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Johnny among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Verona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
