Holly MatkinFort Pierce, FL – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Senior Investigator Kyle Patterson died in the line of duty on June 9 after a wrong-way driver crashed into his vehicle head-on, according to police.
The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Okeechobee Road and South Header Canal Road at approximately 12 p.m., WPBF reported.
The 35-year-old investigator was traveling westbound in an unmarked FWC Ford pickup truck when a 24-year-old Tampa woman driving into oncoming traffic in a Kia sedan crashed into him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The woman driving the Kia was killed in the collision, WPTV reported.
Her identity was not immediately released.
Investigator Patterson was airlifted to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The FHP’s investigation into the fatal crash remained ongoing, WPTV reported.
The FWC confirmed Investigator Patterson’s death in a press release on June 10.
“Every day, law enforcement officers put themselves in danger pursuing their calling to keep the public safe,” the agency said. “Florida has lost a hero for public safety and conservation. We ask everyone for their support and prayers for his family, friends and all of our FWC officers and staff who are incredibly saddened by his death.”
Investigator Patterson graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice before he joined the FWC in January of 2007.
He spent his entire career assigned to St. Lucie County in FWC South Region Alpha, according to his department.
Investigator Patterson was a member of the Florida Marine Intelligence Unit and the Florida Agriculture Crimes Intelligence Unit.
In 2018, he was recognized for his role in a multi-jurisdictional sea turtle egg poaching case that resulted in the arrests of multiple suspects who were found in possession of nearly 500 sea turtle eggs, the FWC said.
Investigator Patterson also received a Lifesaving Award in 2010, an Exceptional Performance Award in 2015, a Letter of Commendation in 2017, a FWC Team of the Year Award in 2020, and was recognized during the agency’s responses to both Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma.
The longtime investigator leaves behind his wife, Alisha, and his two young children, Kinsley and Kole.
The FWC said Investigator Patterson “was a devoted father and husband.”
He is also survived by his parents and his sisters, according to his obituary.
Investigator Patterson was laid to rest on Friday.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Senior Investigator Kyle Patterson. We ask everyone for support and prayers for the family, friends and all of our FWC #officers and staff during this time. https://t.co/zdtix0z8up #LawEnforcement #EndofWatch pic.twitter.com/Pb0LNqtLwC
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) June 10, 2022
@WPTV Flag at @MartinFLSheriff Office at half-staff in honor of FWC Investigator Kyle Patterson who died in a car crash in Ft. Pierc pic.twitter.com/P1lctsuPzs
— Dave Bohman (@DaveBohmanWPTV) June 10, 2022
#FWC mourning loss of #officer Kyle Patterson killed in wrong way #crash along rural #StLucie County road @Telemundo51 pic.twitter.com/1F4VV21OhP
— JRodriguez (@JRodzMIA) June 10, 2022
We are deeply saddened to inform you of the death of Senior Investigator Kyle Patterson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Florida.
End of Watch: Thursday, June 9, 2022 pic.twitter.com/R5HGKOrGcS
— Thin Blue Line USA (@thinbluelineUSA) June 10, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Senior Investigator Kyle Patterson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
