He was washing his car when the three men approached from behind. Troy Patterson, then 27 years old, was off duty on January 16, 1990. He was a police officer with the New York City Police Department and was engaged to him shortly before the robbery. The young agent had already received seven awards for his work six times.
The three young men who attacked him that day in Brooklyn, New York, were after his wallet. They apparently didn’t hesitate: one of the three shot Patterson in the head with a .38 caliber pistol.
But Patterson survived. However, with serious injuries, he never regained consciousness, he was brain dead. Only his vital functions remained intact. He has been in a coma ever since. Until now. As the New York Post reports, citing the New York Police Department, Patterson died on April 29, 2023.
Colleagues of the New York City Police Department reportedly never forgot the man. “Detective Troy Patterson was a hero of the city of New York. He inspired hundreds of other detectives to follow his courageous example and take on the important work of fighting crime,” said Paul DiGiacomo, a representative of the New York City Police Union.
It is with a heavy heart that the Detectives’ Endowment Association announces the passing of Detective Troy Patterson. Troy was shot and seriously injured in 1990 when he engaged in police action when three criminals tried to rob him while he was off duty. The DEA wants #Never forget.… pic.twitter.com/AWR2HSxT2V
— Detective Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) April 30, 2023
Patterson was only promoted to the rank of detective in 2016, even though he had been in a coma for 26 years. Judith Harrison, deputy chief of the New York Police Department, reported in 2022 that year after year, colleagues gather at Patterson’s bedside to honor him. “We have a rule from the New York City Police Department: ‘We don’t forget anyone.’ And we show that we mean business every year by celebrating Troy. We still hope for a miracle,” Harrison said.
But the miracle did not happen. Patterson never woke up from the coma. The three suspects Vincent Robbins, Tracey Clark and Darien Crawford were later arrested. Robbins and Clark, the suspected shooter, ended up. The New York Post was unable to find out about Clark’s trial; whether he was convicted of the robbery is unknown. Robbins received a prison sentence of five to 15 years for assault and attempted robbery. However, he was released from prison in 2000.
The three criminals looted Patterson’s wallet, which was later found at the scene. Apparently, the robbery was about $20 that the young cop was carrying.
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I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
