Federal Way Police Department, Washington
End of Watch Saturday, August 2, 2003
Add to My HeroesPatrick Martin Maher
Officer Patrick Maher was shot and killed after breaking up a fight between two brothers and one of the brother's ex-girlfriends.
Officer Maher was dispatched at approximately 10:20 am to a convenience store on an unrelated assignment when he saw a fight in a parking lot between three people. After the officer broke up the fight, one of the male participants fled on foot across a street, leaving the jurisdiction of the city of Federal Way. He fled into the neighboring city of Kent, where he attempted to escape from Officer Maher by climbing a fence.
Officer Maher ran after this male and caught up with him, and was able to pull him down from the fence. In the ensuing struggle, the male gained control of Officer Maher's firearm. The male then pointed the gun at his brother and ex-girlfriend. In an attempt to disarm the suspect, Officer Maher lunged at the male but was shot in the abdomen just below the edge of his bullet-resistant vest.
After Officer Maher was shot, the brother jumped on the male's back and held him until other officers arrived. The male was arrested by members of the Kent Police Department and charged with murder. He pled guilty on October 21, 2005, to first-degree murder, and on December 9, 2005, he was sentenced to 30 years.
Officer Maher was transported to Harbor View Medical Center where he later died from his wound.
Officer Maher was a United States Coast Guard veteran who had served with the Federal Way Police Department for seven months and had previously served in Hawaii for seven years with the Honolulu Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three children. His oldest son was killed in a car accident on January 4, 2004, only 5 months after Officer Maher was murdered.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 8 years
- Badge 126
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 346 ReflectionsRest in peace Officer Maher.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 13, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022

Corporal Ray Charles Hamilton
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 24, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy
Garrett County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: December 21, 2022

Detective Paul Daniel Newell
Benton County Sheriff's Office, AR
EOW: December 17, 2022

Chief of Police Joe Carey
Brodnax Police Department, VA
EOW: December 16, 2022