Tucson Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch Monday, May 26, 2003
Add to My HeroesPatrick Kent Hardesty
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.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 13 years
- Badge 31432
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Taken off death row
Most Recent Reflection
View all 194 ReflectionsPat was a good Marine and a good man. He was my Marine Officer Instructor and he set the tone for a couple of generations of U of A Marine Officers. We are better off for his contributions, yet worse off without him.
Anonymous
Fellow Marine
March 29, 2024
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