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Incident
Patrolman Charles Patnaude was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a bank robbery suspect. The suspect had robbed an East Providence bank and fled to a home on Sherman Street in Pawtucket where he took three hostages. As Patrolman Patnaude exited his patrol wagon the suspect opened fire with a .30-.30 rifle, striking him. He was transported to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds an hour later. The suspect, 27, an escaped mental patient, was arrested and committed in a mental institution. In 1966 he was declared sane, tried for bank robbery and convicted. In a chilling coincidence, Patrolman Patnaude was shot near the house in which he was born and died on the lawn of the house in which he grew up in. Patrolman Patnaude had been with the agency for over 25 years and had planned to retire in December.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
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.
Patrolman Patnaude served with the Pawtucket Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawtucket community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Patnaude.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pawtucket Police Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in RI, 45.5% of the 55 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 1 officer in RI was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1958, with 3.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 47. Of the 25 killed feloniously in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 40.
Charles was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 4% of these deaths in RI; June holds the most, 24%. Tuesdays: 16%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Pawtucket Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 55 deaths in RI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Pawtucket Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pawtucket Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
