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Kristin Marie Pataki
Incident
Police Officer Kristin Pataki was killed in an automobile crash while responding to backup another officer at Little Bennett Regional Park's golf course in Clarksburg, Maryland.
Her patrol car left the wet roadway in the 24800 block of Clarksburg Road and struck a tree on the driver's side at approximately 10:00 pm. The officer she was en route to assist was investigating two suspicious men who turned out to be a known drug dealer and a known drug user.
Officer Pataki had served with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
She is survived by her fiance and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Pataki served with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
Thank you for your service to the Silver Spring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pataki.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kristin is the only officer of Maryland-National Capital Park Police - Montgomery County Division remembered here.
Kristin is one of 141 officers lost to accidents in MD, 37.3% of the 378 remembered there.
Kristin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kristin 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 2002, 2 officers in MD were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 88 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 6.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kristin was 24. Of the 133 lost to accidents in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 42; the middle age was 33. Kristin had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kristin was 24. 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. Kristin had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kristin was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kristin had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 5.7% of these deaths in MD; October holds the most, 15.6%. Saturdays: 11.3%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Maryland-National Capital Park Police - Montgomery County Division.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 378 deaths in MD, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Maryland-National Capital Park Police - Montgomery County Division are honored on badge.nw.