Officer Patrick Kent Hardesty, Tucson Police Department, Arizona

Officer Patrick Kent Hardesty

Tucson Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Monday, May 26, 2003

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Patrick Kent Hardesty

Officer Patrick Hardesty was shot and killed while investigating a hit-and-run traffic accident at the intersection of Fort Lowell Road and Park Avenue.

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, who had a criminal record, was found guilty of first-degree murder on February 25th, 2005, and was sentenced to death on March 10th, 2005. In December 2023, he was taken off death row and will have a new resentencing hearing.

Officer Hardesty was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served 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. His grandfather and brother had also served as law enforcement officers.

Bio

Age 40
Tour 13 years
Badge 31432
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Taken off death row

accident scene, convicted felon, hit-and-run

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I knew Patrick Hardesty , he was an outstanding Marine Corps Lieutenant assigned to PMO Camp Pendleton, Ca.
LT Hardesty was true professional, kind and respectful to his Marines. One of the best M.P. officer I had the privilege to work for. I can remember him in his Charlie’s decoying for my dog on day shift, looking for illegals together. I remember him responding to a back me up at a fight at 21 Club on nights with 4th platoon, always protective of over his young Marines. He was hard worker, very dedicated to the Corps and if I remember correctly he was working as a reserve officer in Arizona while we were on active duty.
Unfortunately I lost touch with him after the Marines. It was not until later working a police officer in Texas another Marine told me of his murder. Like many people his death had a tremendous impact on me. All these years later I think about what a good down to earth guy he was. Semper Fi Sir!

Steven Vaughan
Sgt/Inv. Bexar County DA’s Office, TX
Cpl. USMC PMO/K-9 Camp Pendleton, Ca

Steven Vaughan

January 5, 2025