Louisville, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police have confirmed the identities of the two officers who shot and killed a man on Nov. 22 in the city’s Southside neighborhood.
Officers Patrick Norton and Richard Waller responded to the 100 block of East Southland Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m. after a person reported being robbed at gunpoint. Officers located a suspect matching the description. According to Deputy Chief Ryan Bates, the suspect fled and drew a handgun, prompting both officers to fire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured, and the suspect’s handgun was recovered.
The LMPD Public Integrity Unit will investigate the shooting, and body-camera footage is expected to be released within 10 business days.
Officers’ Backgrounds
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Richard Waller has 23 commendations and no disciplinary history with LMPD.
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Patrick Norton, a K-9 handler, has been involved in multiple prior incidents, including two deadly shootings.
Norton’s 2019 Fatal Shooting
In November 2019, Norton was involved in a fatal shooting of Shelby Gazaway during an active shooter response near a Kroger on 35th and Bank streets. Body-camera footage showed Norton firing at Gazaway after the suspect allegedly fired toward him. An autopsy confirmed seven medium-caliber projectiles struck Gazaway.
Commonwealth Attorney Tom Wine determined Norton’s use of deadly force was justified.
Other Past Incidents
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In June 2020, Norton fired a non-fatal shot at a man in mental distress in east Louisville.
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Personnel records show Norton faced at least eight policy investigations and 18 sustained violations over eight years, including incidents involving deactivating his body camera, mishandling suspects, and making demeaning remarks.
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In 2019, then-Chief Steve Conrad initially recommended firing Norton but later suspended him for 20 days.
Despite past disciplinary issues, much of Norton’s serious infractions occurred early in his career. In the last five years, there have been no major violations. He has received 46 commendations, including a 2022 Medal of Valor, highlighting instances of notable police work.
This recent shooting adds to Norton’s controversial history, but prior investigations have cleared him in use-of-force cases.
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