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Incident
Sheriff Patrikus succumbed to a gunshot wound received five days earlier when he was attempting to arrest an escaped convict from St. Cloud Reformatory in Minnesota. During the arrest, Sheriff Patrikus was shot in the abdomen. The suspect, 25, had escaped a week earlier. He had served nine months of a five year sentence for grand larceny. He was apprehended, convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to 25 years. Sheriff Patrikus had served as Sheriff for three years and was survived by his wife. Photo provided by the Billings County Museum.
Survivors
Sheriff Patrikus had served as Sheriff for three years and was survived by his wife.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Patrikus gave the Billings County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Medora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Patrikus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fred is the only officer of Billings County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Fred is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1940, 1 officer in ND was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 44. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50. Fred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Fred was 44. 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. Fred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 15.4% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Sundays: 12.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Billings County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 61 deaths in ND, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Billings County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.