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Martins Ferry Native Shot in Leg by Alleged Drug Dealer

Shrodes Was on Duty As Police Officer in Columbus

A Martins Ferry native who works as a police officer in Columbus is recovering in a hospital after being shot by an alleged drug dealer.

Patrick Shrodes, son of Councilman Bruce and Barbara Shrodes of Martins Ferry, was shot on March 15 while trying to serve a search warrant related to drugs at a Columbus apartment building. He was shot in the leg and, according to published reports, returned gunfire after being hit.

Shrodes is an officer with the Columbus Police Department’s Narcotics Tactical Investigative Unit. He has worked for the department for 22 years. Before last week, he had never been shot in the line of duty before.

Bruce Shrodes said he and his wife received the news about their son being shot via a telephone call from their daughter-in-law.

“My wife answered the phone. She said Patrick had been shot but was in stable condition. We went right up,” he said. “He’s having a rough time. The bullet went in his left thigh and traveled around his back and hit a piece of plastic on his uniform.

“He had another operation to get the plastic out of there. He’s in a lot of pain. They don’t know how much nerve damage there is. He’s going to be off a long time. He can’t use one leg — he can’t walk on it.”

Columbus police have since arrested Shawn Toney, 22, for allegedly shooting Patrick Shrodes. Toney is being charged with felonious assault on a police officer, according to published reports.

Patrick Shrodes, 49, graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1986.

Bruce Shrodes said his son and his fellow officers in the unit are battling the drug epidemic every day in Columbus.

“It’s a war up there. … It’s a way of life up there — it’s a cult. They are constantly battling them. They say it’s a victimless crime, but I don’t want to hear it. Maybe I’m biased,” he said.

“That man was sitting inside the door. (Patrick) was the first one in the door, and the guy started shooting. Patrick returned fire as he was going down because his leg buckled. They are dealing with drugs and all kinds of people you wouldn’t believe. People don’t see that side of it,” he added.

Bruce Shrodes worked as a policeman for five years in Martins Ferry in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Patrick’s uncle, Lloyd “Bud” Shrodes, served as chief of police and mayor of Martins Ferry in the past. He died in 2010.

The councilman sees a long road ahead for his son.

“He’s going to have a long recovery. He’s tough — we’ll see what happens,” Bruce Shrodes said of his son.

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