Benefit To Be Held In Officer Patrick's Honor
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In the coming weeks, the community will have the chance to help the family of officer Scott Patrick. The Mendota Heights Police Department is hosting a benefit to help Patrick's widow and two daughters.
Patrick was shot and killed in July during a traffic stop. The shooter, Brian Fitch Sr., remains in jail awaiting trial.
For the Mendota Heights Police Department, there is no escaping Patrick's loss.
"His memories will never disappear," said officer John Larrive, Patrick's friend and co-worker.
More than six weeks after his death, Patrick's presence is everywhere. Pictures of his smiling face are hanging up in several different locations of City Hall.
"Someone was just telling me the other day they heard a pen clicking and thought of Scott," Larrive said.
Few knew Patrick better than he did.
"Over the last 10 years, we had a lot of days together, and his daughter actually babysat for my kids," Larrive said. "So...we were close."
Even now, in a way, he still sees his friend every day.
Larrive is one of three officers who spend time at every shift sorting through the community support that comes in every day to the department.
"It means a lot that people are still outreaching to us as a police department," he said.
That three person committee is also organizing an upcoming benefit in Patrick's honor. Money raised will go to Patrick's wife and two daughters.
"If this is what I need to do to help him, to help me remember him and help his family, it's the least I can do," Larrive said.
The planning and organizing create busy work, which helps keep the grief away.
"I haven't had the opportunity to sit back and think about how sad it is when I'm busy, so, I'm grateful for that," Larrive said.
Life without Patrick isn't easy for the Mendota Heights Police Department, but finding new ways to keep his memory alive also offers a way to heal.
The Stand Up For Scott fundraiser will be held Saturday, Sept. 27.
It will be held from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Moose Country in Lilydale. There will be live music, a fundraiser, an auction and a raffle.
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