Patrick was released from his duties Monday.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Bob Gault said there is “no additional information at this time.”
Patrick was in the news this spring when he shot and killed a woman who attempted to steal his police cruiser on Interstate 75. The Sheriff’s Office says his dismissal is unrelated to the fatal shooting.
Patrick shot and killed Armetta Foster on May 21. She and her two children had been walking along I-75 when Patrick stopped to investigate.
As the officer was talking with her, she cut him on the hand with a knife. She then jumped in his idling cruiser and drove away, leaving the children. Patrick fired at her and reportedly struck her several times.
Foster drove for more than two miles before succumbing to wounds and running off the interstate crashing through a fence. She died later at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated the incident and ruled Patrick was within his rights to fire at the vehicle. After discussion with the 10th District Attorney’s Office, authorities declined to press charges.
