Deputy Josh Moyers, End of Watch: Manhunt is on for Florida cop killer Patrick McDowell
(Updated September 28, 2021) On September 26, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office headquartered in Yulee, Florida, issued a Blue Alert for suspected cop killer, 35-year-old Patrick McDowell, who officials say shot Nassau County Deputy Josh Moyers twice – once in the back – early Friday when the Deputy approached McDowell during a traffic stop. The shooting went down sometime after midnight off Sandy Ford Road near the railroad tracks. Tragically, Deputy Moyer died yesterday from his injuries. He was only 29-years-old and had served in the Sheriff’s Office for six years.
Following the shootings, Deputy Moyers was transported to UF Health Jacksonville where he remained on life support until September 26, 2021, so that his organs could be donated.
During a press conference held on September 24, Sheriff Leeper said that something caught Moyers’ attention, which led him to conduct that fatal traffic stop. The suspect was driving a burgundy Chrysler minivan that was reported stolen out of Jacksonville. After shooting Moyers, the sheriff said McDowell sped off, just missing an oncoming train, and turned onto a dirt road in a wooded area.
The van was later found abandoned.
On September 27, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office shared that Moyers learned the tags on the vehicle McDowell was driving belonged to a different vehicle. And, as he opened the driver’s door to place the man in custody, the subject shot Deputy Moyers in the face and back.
WESH reported that a K-9 officer was also shot during that traffic stop.
McDowell was last seen near U.S. 301 and Sandy Ford Road in Callahan, Nassau County.
McDowell is 6 feet, with brown hair and blue eyes, and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has a tattoo on his left shoulder that says “Death Before Dishonor” and a tattoo on his right arm that says “EGA.”
Officials also said that McDowell should be considered armed and dangerous, and if you see him do not approach him.
“This guy is dangerous” Leeper said. “If you’re in a home, and he breaks into your home and you have a gun, blow him out the door, cause he’s like a rabid animal. He will kill you, with his mindset. What he did to that deputy was uncalled for and unnecessary and he needs to pay for it.” ~ UPI
The reward leading to McDowell’s capture had grown to $50,000.
Patrick McDowell Slideshow
A GoFundMe page has been started in support of the slain Deputy’s family. Moyers is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.
(Sources: Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
