Man Shot by Game Warden Identified

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has released the name of an Arkansas man killed by a game warden Sunday in Adair County. The man is identified as Billy Joe Patrick, 29, who is believed to have been wanted on an Arkansas warrant for a parole violation. According to authorities, Patrick was shot by an Oklahoma game warden at about 11:10 a.m. Sunday at a pond near Bunch in Adair County, just north of the Adair-Sequoyah County line. Reports did not identify the game warden, but reported he stopped to talk to three fishermen and asked to see their fishing licenses. Patrick’s name came back with the warrant attached, and when the warden attempted to take Patrick into custody, the two became involved in a fight, then fell into a pond. According to the reports, Patrick attempted to hold the game warden’s head under water, but the warden fought free, surfaced, and shot Patrick, who died at the scene. It was not reported what the other two fishermen were doing at the time. The warden was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. The head of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation requested the OSBI to investigate, and the OSBI report will be turned over to Adair County District Attorney Brian Kuester to determine if the shooting was justified. Kuester is district attorney for Adair, Sequoyah, Cherokee and Wagoner Counties.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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