Patrick McDowell, who fatally shot Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers during a traffic stop nearly three years ago, was sentenced to death by a judge on Wednesday. In April, a jury voted 11-1 to recommend the death penalty for McDowell, who had pleaded guilty to the murder.
In a press release from the State Attorney’s Office, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced Judge James H. Daniel sentenced McDowell to death for the murder of Moyers. McDowell had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, injuring a police dog and eight counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. On April 25, 2024, a Nassau County jury recommended the death penalty for McDowell.
On Sept. 23, 2021, Deputy Moyers was patrolling Nassau County when he stopped a red van with a stolen tag, driven by McDowell, who had been smoking methamphetamine with his passenger, Noelle Gale. After providing false identification, McDowell shot Moyers in the face and back when Moyers attempted to make an arrest. McDowell fled, leaving Moyers to die. Moyers was later found by a responding deputy and pronounced dead days later.
Gale surrendered to the police shortly after the incident, while McDowell hid in the woods, leading to a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies. McDowell was captured on September 28, 2021, after injuring a police dog during a shootout with officers.
During the penalty phase, McDowell admitted he had planned to kill any law enforcement member who tried to arrest him and intentionally lured Moyers to a secluded area.
Nelson thanked the jury for their service, recognizing Moyers' sacrifice and the calculated nature of his murder.
Judge sentences killer to death for deputy’s 2021 murder