Officer Patrick Kent Hardesty
Tucson Police Department
Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, May 26, 2003

Biographical Info
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 31432

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, May 26, 2003
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to Death

Officer Hardesty was shot and killed while investigating a hit-and-run traffic accident in a midtown neighborhood.

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 was found guilty of first degree murder on February 25th, 2005, and was sentenced to death on March 10th, 2005.

Officer Hardesty was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had been 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.