God Bless The officer and his family!
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Officer shot & killed with his own gun
Officer Patrick Maher
Federal Way Police Department, WA
End of Watch: Saturday, August 2, 2003

Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 8 yr

Officer Maher was shot and killed after breaking up a fight between two brothers and the suspect’s ex-girlfriend. Officer Maher was dispatched at approximately 1020 hours to a convenience store on an unrelated assignment when he saw a fight in a parking lot between three people. After breaking up the fight, the suspect fled on foot across a street out of the City of Federal Way and into the City of Kent, where he attempted to escape from Officer Maher by climbing a fence.

Officer Maher caught up to the suspect and was able to pull him down from the fence. In the ensuing struggle, the suspect gained control of Officer Maher’s firearm. The suspect then pointed the gun at his brother and ex-girlfriend. In an attempt to disarm the suspect, Officer Maher lunged at the suspect, but was shot in the abdomen, just below the edge of his bullet resistant vest.

The suspect?s brother jumped on the suspect’s back and held him until other officers arrived. The suspect was arrested by members of the Kent Police Department and charged with murder.

Officer Maher was removed to Harbo View Medical Center where he later died from his wound.

Officer Maher had served with the Federal Way Police Department for seven months and had previously served in Hawaii for seven years with the Honolulu Police Department. Prior to that he served for 20 years in the United States Coast Guard. He is survived by his wife and two children.