U.S. Marine Corps · United States 
Patrick Hardesty
2003
Patrick Kent Hardesty served the U.S. Marine Corps for 3 years. Patrick also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Officer Patrick Hardesty was shot and killed while investigating a hit-and-run traffic accident at the intersection of Fort Lowell Road and Park Avenue.
Shortly after arriving at the scene, Officer Hardesty located a suspect, and a struggle ensued in which Officer Hardesty was shot five times and fatally wounded. Officer Hardesty was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Responding officers apprehended the suspect after a short foot pursuit. The suspect, who had a criminal record, was found guilty of first-degree murder on February 25th, 2005, and was sentenced to death on March 10th, 2005. In December 2023, he was taken off death row and will have a new resentencing hearing.
Officer Hardesty was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Tucson Police Department as a reserve officer for 11 years and as a full-time officer for 19 months. He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, two sisters, and a brother. His grandfather and brother had also served as law enforcement officers.
Shortly after arriving at the scene, Officer Hardesty located a suspect, and a struggle ensued in which Officer Hardesty was shot five times and fatally wounded. Officer Hardesty was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Responding officers apprehended the suspect after a short foot pursuit. The suspect, who had a criminal record, was found guilty of first-degree murder on February 25th, 2005, and was sentenced to death on March 10th, 2005. In December 2023, he was taken off death row and will have a new resentencing hearing.
Officer Hardesty was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Tucson Police Department as a reserve officer for 11 years and as a full-time officer for 19 months. He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, two sisters, and a brother. His grandfather and brother had also served as law enforcement officers.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
1981 – 1984
U.S. Marine Corps
1991 – 2001
U.S. Marine Corps
Also Served
Tucson Police Department
Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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