MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) – Hundreds paid their respects at a candlelight vigil to honor a Mendota Heights police officer who was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while making a traffic stop in West St. Paul.
Officer Scott Patrick, 47, was called a well-known family man, a father of two, and one of the department’s longest-serving police officers.
He was killed just after noon on Dodd Road near Smith Avenue South in West St. Paul. Witnesses said Patrick’s service revolver was still in its holster.
After that, it was a long eight hours. The search for the suspect took officers to several surrounding communities, but police say tips from the public were extremely helpful in catching up with Fitch.
A tip caller led police to suspect, Brian Fitch. He was arrested after a shoot-out with police near the State Capitol in St. Paul. Fitch and his girlfriend were hit, but are expected to survive.
Fitch is still being treated at Regions Hospital. It’s not known how many times police shot him.
Many people in the area heard the gunshots, and people were on the lookout well after the incident.
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Police described 39-year-old Fitch as a career criminal who had a warrant out for his arrest. Authorities said he got out of prison in February on supervised release for a burglary conviction and was already a wanted fugitive again on a Department of Corrections warrant.
His record also includes convictions or arrests for theft, terroristic threats, assault, drug offenses, escaping custody and fleeing police officers. Records show he’s also been to court several times for failing to pay or provide child support to several different women.
Mendota Heights Police Chief says the department, which has just 18 sworn officers, has never lost an officer on duty.
This is the first instance of a Minnesota officer being killed in the line of duty since the 2012 death of Officer Tom Decker in Cold Spring, Minn.
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At least one fundraiser has been set up to benefit the Patrick family. Click here for more information.
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