Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was a young Marine 2dLt who served with Ken at MP Battalion Camp Pendleton in 1991 and I remember his enthusiasm to serve and protect. Today I'm a retired LtCol and I'm passing thorough Tucson and decided to Google him as I'm awaiting my flight - I'm deeply saddened by the loss of this fine American. May he rest in peace.

Christian Veeris
USMC

March 29, 2018

To my friend, Pat. I will forever remember your true kindness, great generosity, and good humor. God bless you and your family.

Theresa (Jauregui) Velazquez
friend from NROTC & USMC

May 30, 2016

Semper FI! Pat

LtCol Lowell Rector
USMC (Ret)

March 5, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 26, 2015

I type into this box every year, in some hopes that you can see this. I hope someday you can tell me you did. You are missed greatly, especially you barging in saying "It's a great day to be a crime fighter". Hope you are doing ok up there.

Retired
Tucson Police Dept.

May 26, 2015

Still remember all the fun at TBS, our weekend mountain bike rides all over Quantico and the impromptu "Jodies" you'd sing to break the tension. Semper Fi, Brother!

Mal Granville Captain USMC
USMC

December 21, 2014

Hi buddy. Hard to believe its been 11 years. I expect you to walk in and give us your up beat "Crime Fighter" speech. I think of you daily and miss working with you. Hope things are good over there for you. See ya soon bro.

Officer
Tucson Police

May 26, 2014

Pat, you will never be forgotten. I think of you daily and miss working with you. Sorry I'm a couple days late this year.

Retired
Tucson Police

June 2, 2013

Pat, you are still thought of often by many people. You will never be forgotten.

Sergeant
Tucson PD

May 26, 2013

Ten years ago today....not a day goes by that I don't think about you and often times I still catch myself thinking, "I should call Patrick and share this with him." It's hard but life goes on.

I placed an American flag on your memorial marker at our Timberon property to honor you on Memorial Day. Semper Fi brother.

Deputy Edward Hardesty (ret)
Brother

May 26, 2013

Someone mentioned your name yesterday and it reminded me of how you use to drive all day from Camp Pendleton to Tucson to "Baker" with me that same night. You did this so you could fulfill your TPD reserve officer monthly hours. you were a Champ and only fell asleep once. I remember this because you were driving. and you thought I would not tell anyone. Miss You !!

Civilian/Former officer
Tucson Police Dept

November 16, 2012

RIP Sir........

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

June 1, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 26, 2012

Pat,
9 years sure doesn't seem like a long time when I think of you every day...
No matter what life brings, I know that you are looking down and making sure we are safe... That's just the kind of guy you are. Thank you, and I know you and your family have been Blessed!
3A71

ex-Collegue
TPD

April 23, 2012

i knew sgt pat hardesty when we both in usmc barracks duty in st mawgan england back in 86 outstanding marine it was great to serve with him in corps condolences to all his family and friends. semper fi ed salais.

ed salais
marine brother

April 1, 2012

It is hard to believe that it has been over eight years since you left this world for the eternal world. I still carry the coin that was made in your honor. I know you still have the coin that was placed with you. One day, we will all meet again, and i will have that coin waiting for the challenge when we meet at the gates.

God called you too early from us, but he had great plans for you in his kingdom. I believe that Eik Hite and you are standing watch and waiting for our reunion.

Rest in Peace and Semper Fi!!!

Officer Chris Miller (Retired)
Tucson Police department

August 10, 2011

Sir: Going through some of my fitness reports and saw ones written by you. Will always remember your guidance, words of encouragement, advice, and your love and devotion to your Marines and our Beloved Corps. Will always remember your passion for Marine Corps history and those lessons of leadership and duty you passed on to us. I have in-turn passed on some of those lessons to my Marines. Most importantly, I will always remember the ethos of integrity and honor that you always attempted to imbue in your Marines and showed us everyday by your simple, everyday example, of consistently doing the right thing. May the Lord continue to bless and comfort your family.

Semper Fidelis,
Price

Capt Bob Price
USMC / UofA

July 26, 2011

Pat....Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday Marine!! Just talked with your old boss/PM LtCol Anthony. I remember those blotter briefs..boy those were funny times! Pat you are missed, i see some of your fellow Marine officers, and we always talk about you and the good old days at PMO Pendleton. Happy 235th Marine Corps Bithday Marine! You are missed

Anonymous

November 19, 2010

Officer Hardesty, you are not forgotten. God Bless you and your family.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

August 21, 2010

Still thinking about Pat almost every day. I take comfort in the knowledge that he is supervising the Marines who stand guard at the Pearly Gates. Deepest condolences and wishes for comfort for his family.

Reserve Academy Classmate
TPD

April 16, 2010

I'm a blessed person for having known Pat Hardesty. I had the good fortune of going to school with Pat at the University of Arizona. We went to Marine Officer Candidate School together, The Basic School, wrote term papers together (the night before they were due on old typewriters in his kitchen), drank many a beer together, and shared many other experiences and memories both at the UofA and in the Corps.

Pat Hardesty INHALED LIFE!! Pat Hardesty made the most mundane task or occurance fun! How did he do that? He just had a zest for the moment; he had no pretensions.

Pat was a bear of man, a Teddy Bear actually, with the warmest and most sincere hello (usually a "how the hell are ya'?") of any man I've ever known.

Pat earned the right to serve as a reserve police officer when we were at the UofA. After he was commissioned as an officer in the Corps he continued to go back to Tucson to serve as a reserve police officer with the Tucson Police Force. Pat then became the Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Arizona prior to retiring from the Corps. He worked a beat on his off-time while serving as a Marine officer, preparing young Marines, Sailors, and Midshipmen to become Marine and Navy officers. Pat retired from the Corps on a Friday and went to work full-time for the Tucson Police Force the next Monday.

I miss this dedicated AMERICAN--my friend.

Semper Fidelis,

Todd M. Hunt
Major, USMC (Ret.)

Todd Hunt
USMC (Ret.)

December 4, 2009

I was a former Marine that worked 1st platoon (Military Police) at Camp Pendleton,Ca. I shared the same days off with his platoon and many are my friends today. "LT" was loved not just by his troops, but by the troops of other platoons! My fondest memory was meeting Lt. Hardesty,SSGT.,and a Cpl. at the Main Gate for a Mtn. bike ride to the north of the base. Being a Lcpl. I was excited that he had invited me to ride along. I was told to keep quiet by the Ssgt. in fear of getting in trouble for hanging with an Officer/Nco's on my day off. We ate lunch at Denny's and arrived back at the main gate at dark. This bike ride was during the summer hours so needless to say it was a long day. I could barely walk the next day because of all the miles we had put on those mountain bikes! LOL! I think we were all sore! The day went by fast, and to this day it is the longest bike ride I ever completed. I will never forget Lt. Hardesty and the type of man he was! He is gone but not forgotten! My condolences to his family and close friends! Semper Fi LT! Rest in Peace my brother in arms!

Trp. Denney Wayne Mitchell
Tennessee Highway Patrol/Special Ops. Unit

November 17, 2009

Pat...Was just thinking about you and our funny Marine Corps days at PMO, Pendleton, the morning briefs and LtCol Anthony. Pat, you were a good man, with a big heart, and would do anything for your fellow Marine! Semper Fi Lt....

Anonymous

November 1, 2009

Pat, I just got home from my shift for you. Can't say it was a great day, like you used to tell us, but it was an ok day to be a crime fighter. Hope you're doing ok up there. You sure are missed here. Take care bro.

Officer
Tucson Police

May 27, 2009

On the 6th anniversary of Officer Hardesty's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Hardesty is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

May 26, 2009