May 20, 2013
Correctional officers at Craven Correctional Institution are remembering one of their own who died in Iraq last week while helping with security. David Patterson, 27 years old from Havelock, died in Iraq last Thursday when he and other members of Blackwater Security out of Currituck County were shot down in a helicopter. Patterson had only worked with Blackwater since January. Prior to that, he was employed at the correctional institution. Patterson went to Iraq as a member of the Reserve. When he returned he wanted to go back. That's when he joined Blackwater. Correctional officers that worked with him say Patterson was quiet, dependable, and would have taken the shirt off his back to help others. Patterson leaves a wife behind. Details of funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
