Longtime Miami Twp., West Carrollton police officer remembered as ‘one of the best’

“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Officer Pat McCoy, Unit #236,” West Carrollton Police said in a statement posted to Facebook today. “Pat dedicated his life to public service and served the citizens of Miami Township and West Carrollton with distinction. He was the embodiment of our core values of Integrity, Honesty, Accountability, and Professionalism. Aside from being a true law enforcement professional, Pat was simply our friend and we will miss him. God’s speed, Pat!”

McCoy served in the Army and then Miami Twp. Police Department before retiring in 2020. He worked as a transfer officer for the West Carrollton Police Department at the time of his death.

“McCoy was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January,” said Cheryl Dillin, who organized a fundraiser for him earlier this year.

“A day before his chemo was to begin, he suffered a severe stroke that left him without the use of his right arm, and unable to speak,” Dillin said in a Facebook post.

Dan Martz wrote on Facebook that he grew up with McCoy and his family. He said his heart is heavy following McCoy’s death.

“Without a doubt, he was a one of a kind, genuine guy,” Martz said. “He loved to help people, and would go out of his way to make sure he did everything he could to help. He would literally give you the last penny in his pocket, or the shirt right off his back if you needed it.”

Danielle Shepherd said McCoy was “one of the best” and that she is going to miss him very much.

“I looked up to him in so many ways,” Shepherd said in a Facebook post. “He had a huge heart of gold and would always have a joke ready to go.”

Arrangements for McCoy are yet to be announced.

“Although Pat’s career as a police officer held many serious moments, his true personality and vigor for life came alive in his cartoon strip about his wife Trish and their every day life,” Dillin Events posted to Facebook.

The cartoon strip was “And Then The Fight Started” and McCoy had recently written a book by the same title. It is available for pre-order through Braughler Books, which said it “specializes in book publishing with authors from Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, to across the country and around the globe.”

“And Then The Fight Started” is scheduled to ship “on or about May 1,” according to Braughler Books.

The website WeLovePat.com features information about McCoy’s journey.