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Incident
Officer Patterson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he had encountered earlier in the day. During the first encounter Officer Patterson warned the man not to come near his dog as it may bite him. The man responded by cursing and yelling at him. During the second encounter another quarrel ensued and Officer Patterson attempted to place the man under arrest. The suspect gave Officer Patterson $5.00 for his appearance bond and then pulled out a revolver and shot Officer Patterson.
The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Officer Patterson had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Officer Patterson had been with the agency for 35 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
35 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Patterson gave the Aiken Department of Public Safety 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Carolina. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Patterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Aiken Department of Public Safety has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Wade is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Wade is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wade 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 1911, 1 officer at Aiken Department of Public Safety was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wade was 55. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Aiken Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 35.8 and 53.5; the middle age was 46.5. Wade had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Wade was 55. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Wade had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Wade was 55. 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. Wade had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wade was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wade had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 33.3% of these deaths at Aiken Department of Public Safety, more than any other month. Fridays: 33.3%.
November holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Aiken Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.1% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Aiken Department of Public Safety has 7 officers remembered here, Wade among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Aiken Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
