THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE  Trooper Brian A. Patterson Pennsylvania State Police Troop "E" 1966-2003

Biographical Info
Age: 36
Years of Service: 9  years

Incident Details
Cause of Death: During an accident investigation, a live
electrical power line wire came in contact with his neck.
Date of Incident: February 14, 2003


Brian A. Patterson was born May 17, 1966, in Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Titusville High School in 1984.  He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police on September 27, 1993.  Following graduation from the Academy on March 10, 1994, he was assigned to Troop F, Coudersport.  He transferred to Troop E, Franklin, in June of 2000.

Trooper Patterson lost his life on February 14, 2003, in French Creek Township, Venango County, after he came into contact with a live power line at the scene of a traffic crash. Trooper Patterson and Trooper Joseph A. Katavitch were responding to a one-vehicle crash on Valley Road near Polk shortly after 1 a.m. on February 14.  The vehicle had struck a utility pole, leaving wires hanging near the ground.  As Trooper Patterson approached the crash, a wire came into contact with his neck.  Trooper Katavitch pulled the unconscious Trooper Patterson from under the wire and summoned medical personnel. Trooper Patterson was transported to UPMC Northwest Medical Center in Franklin where he was pronounced dead around 2 a.m.

More than 1000 persons, including Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, State Police Acting Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller and hundreds of state and municipal police officers attended the funeral services that were held on February 18 in Titusville.

He was remembered as a family man who was quick to come to the aid of others.

Acting State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller stated:  “He was a pillar of his community.  He was well respected, took his oath very seriously and gave his life in the performance of his duties.”

Among his survivors are his wife, the former Julie Brickner; a daughter, Desirae; a son, Tyler; and his parents, Allan Patterson and Eva Wallace Leithead.

He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Cherrytree Township, Venango County.

Trooper Patterson had been with the Department for 9 years; he was 36 years old, and he was the 90th member to die in the line of duty.