FWC Officer Killed by Powerline Had History of Heroism

Tampa, FL — The Tampa Police Department is investigating the death of a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer who just recently help the agency in a lifesaving operation.

According to Tampa Police, Gregory Patterson, 47, was riding his bicycle on a path near Whiskey Joe’s around 6:40 a.m. Wednesday when he encountered a live electrical wire. While the Medical Examiner’s Office will make the final determination about the cause of Patterson’s death, Tampa Police have said electrocution appears to be to blame.

Patterson began working for FWC in December 2011 after serving in the U.S. Navy, FWC reported after his death. He worked originally in Highlands County, but transferred to Hillsborough in August 2013, the agency said.

Patterson won the agency's Lifesaving Award in November 2014 after an Oct. 5, 2014, rescue of a kayaker. According to FWC, Patterson and another officer were patrolling Tampa Bay in a high-wind situation when they came across a kayaker who had been stranded for hours, "clinging to his overturned vessel."

That 2014 rescue was far from Patterson’s last, the agency noted. Just this past Saturday, July 9, Patterson is credited with helping Tampa Police save two women, ages 35 and 18, and one 13-year-old girl when their jet ski capsized near the Gandy Bridge around 5:15 p.m.

Tampa Marine Patrol Officer Austin Farrell responded to the scene, along with probationary officer Yungaitis and Officer Traffic Comrey, a Tampa Police report said.

“The three citizens were being carried by the current and were struggling in the water,” the report said. “MPO Farrell quickly grabbed his throw rope and threw it down to one of the victims. Officer Comrey followed suit and two of the victims ended up on his rope.”

The officers’ actions prevented the three from being carried out by the tide, buying them time for a complete rescue.

“Tampa Police Air Service responded and were ready to deploy the rescue raft if necessary,” the report said. “FWC Officers Greg Patterson and Richard Dearborn responded in their watercraft.”

Patterson spotted one of the three victims struggling and “dove into the water to assist,” the agency noted.

"The victims were assisted into the boat, one by one, and all three were transported to the Gandy boat ramp where Tampa Fire Rescue was waiting to assist," the report said.

Patterson's loss is being keenly felt by FWC officers in the Tampa Bay area.

“Our entire FWC family is in mourning for Greg," Col. Curtis Brown of FWC's division of law enforcement said. "We will never forget his service and sacrifice, and can never repay that debt to his family. He was a true public servant at heart, and we will miss him deeply.”

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission