Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409230059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Samuel Jerome Patterson, 34, of Princeton, W.Va., was shot and killed after he shot Officer Terry Griffith once in the head. Griffith died several hours later.
Patterson was shot in both arms, a hand, his chest and his head, police said Monday. Deputies opened fire after Patterson jumped into an empty patrol car, ignoring repeated warnings to surrender.
Three of the shots that hit Patterson likely were fatal, said Dr. William Massello, assistant deputy chief medical examiner for Western Virginia.
Griffith was shot as he tried to arrest Patterson, who was suspected of attempted shoplifting at Hills Department Store. The two struggled, and Patterson wrestled Griffith's service revolver from him.
Another shot fired by Patterson grazed the face of Sgt. Billy Wiatt, a deputy sheriff who was assisting Griffith.
Phil Keith, Montgomery County commonwealth's attorney, said the findings of the investigation - being conducted by the Virginia State Police - will be discussed with him but he does not foresee that any action will be necessary.
"Certainly, everything points to perfectly proper behavior by all parties," Keith said.
The three deputies involved in the shootings and others working the Sunday evening shift met Tuesday with a special counseling unit to give them a chance to talk out their feelings, Sheriff Ken Phipps said.
Debriefings and counseling opportunities will also be made available to Christiansburg officers who served with Griffith, Chief Ron Lemons said.
Griffith will be buried today after a 2:30 p.m. service at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB