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Irvin Jefferson Patrick
Incident
Wildlife Officer Irvin Patrick was shot and killed in Fayette County while he and his partner attempted to arrest a man for possessing two hen pheasants. While they were speaking with the man, his hunting partner leveled his shotgun at the officers and demanded they not make the arrest. Officer Patrick stepped out of his vehicle and a struggle ensued during which the shotgun was discharged. Officer Patrick was fatally wounded by the blast and died while being taken to Memorial Hospital. The 63-year-old wealthy farmer and former Adams County Sheriff turned himself in to the sheriff a short time later. The man the officers were originally going to arrest was also taken into custody. The suspect was found guilty of first degree manslaughter and sentenced to one to 20 years. He was paroled on October 5, 1961. While in prison, his 300 acre farm was sold to satisfy a $80,000 judgement awarded to Officer Patrick's wife. Officer Patrick had served with the agency for 14 years and had previously served for six years as an officer with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Colorado.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and eight siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Wildlife Officer Patrick gave the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Patrick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Irvin is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Irvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Irvin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 2 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1955, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1955, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Irvin was 43. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Irvin had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Irvin was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Irvin had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Irvin was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Irvin had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife has 9 officers remembered here, Irvin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
