Pat Ballard, with wife Beverly looking on, greets a crowd outside the Washington County Sheriff’s Office after being elected sheriff in 1994.
Story by Kelli Williams
Photo by Becky Burch
The community lost one of its most influential peace officers this week with the death of retired Bartlesville Police Department Lt. and Washington County Sheriff Pat Ballard, who passed away on Wednesday, July 10, following a brief illness.
Ballard served with the Bartlesville Police Department for 23 years, beginning as a patrolman in 1969. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1982 and to lieutenant in 1983. He retired from the police department in the early 1990s and was elected sheriff of Washington County in 1994, where he served until his retirement from law enforcement in 2008.
Known for his quick wit and disarming nature, Ballard was a stalwart advocate for local law enforcement, providing leadership within the BPD and for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for the majority of his career. Firm but always fair, he easily filled the role of mentor for many young peace officers, helping to guide them and shape their careers.
“I met Pat Ballard when I was 7 years old,” said Bartlesville Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry. “He had just become my neighbor and began the police academy. He instantly became my hero. Even after he moved away, he continued being my hero and mentor. He was instrumental in and the reason I wanted to be a police officer. He helped me become a police reserve officer and later hired me as a deputy for Washington County Sheriff’s Office, before I returned to the BPD. He was one of the best men I have ever met. When I was sworn in as chief, Pat was there to support me. He was a great man who has been a mentor to multiple police officers, deputies, sheriffs, and chiefs. He is already missed.”
Rick Silver, who succeeded Ballard as sheriff following his retirement, said he could always count on Ballard for advice.
“I’ve known Pat all my life, “Silver said. “My dad (the late retired Sheriff Larry Silver Sr.) and Pat worked together their entire careers at the Bartlesville Police Department. Pat was always willing to talk to me and give me his honest opinion. I could contact him anytime after I became sheriff for advice on things. I will always remember Pat as a great man, sheriff, and friend. I know he cared deeply about his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.”
Current Sheriff Scott Owen also worked for Ballard during his days with the police department, and continues several programs Ballard started at WCSO to this day.
“Pat was a great man, officer, sheriff, friend, father, grandfather, and an uncle to many,” said Owen. “He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with his family.”
Ballard was unshakably dedicated to his faith and his family — including the “love of his life,” his wife Beverly. The couple married in 1970 and spent their lives in Washington County. Together they raised four children, Bryan Ballard, Shelly Bates, Kelly Robbins, and Angela Doenges, and enjoyed 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Ballard’s son Bryan, a former police officer in Washington County and Little Rock, Ark., was no doubt Ballard’s most cherished mentee of all.
“My dad always told me to treat people exactly the way you want to be treated and to always look for the best in people,” he said. “I don’t know anyone he arrested who had a negative thing to say about him, and that speaks volumes. He believed there was good in everyone, and he taught others how to see that. He always told me that my last name was very important. He would say, ‘Never tarnish the badge or the name.’ I’ve tried to live up to that as best I could. My dad was the strongest, most reliable man I’ve ever known. He was a giant in the law enforcement community. There was no one like him.”
Services for Ballard will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at Bartlesville Community Center, 300 S.E. Adams Blvd.
Photo by Becky Burch. Used with permission. Please do not share or copy without permission.