Sergeant AlTerek Shaundel Patterson

Sergeant AlTerek Shaundel Patterson

Bedminster Township Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Sunday, April 12, 2020

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AlTerek Shaundel Patterson

Sergeant AlTerek Patterson died after contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.

Sergeant Patterson had served with the Bedminster Township Police Department for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.


The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 38
  • Tour 14 years
  • Badge 33

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Monday, March 30, 2020

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

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Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 12, 2021

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