Officer Brad Arn: The Day St. Joseph Lost a Hero

Editor's Note: This article remembers Officer Bradley "Brad" Arn, who was killed in the line of duty on November 10, 1998. We honor his sacrifice and extend our deepest gratitude to his family, friends, and the officers who continue to serve the St. Joseph community.

---

There are moments that forever change a city. For St. Joseph, one of those moments came on the afternoon of November 10, 1998, when a routine dispatch about gunfire turned into one of the darkest days in the history of the St. Joseph Police Department.

Officer Bradley Thomas "Brad" Arn, just 28 years old, answered a call that no one knew would become his last.

Nearly three decades later, his sacrifice has not been forgotten.

A Quiet Afternoon Turns Into Chaos

Just before 3 p.m., emergency calls flooded dispatch reporting that a man dressed in military-style camouflage was walking through a north St. Joseph neighborhood carrying a rifle.

Witnesses reported the man was firing at vehicles, homes, and people near 22nd and Calhoun Streets. Several civilians had already been wounded before police even arrived.

The first officer dispatched to the scene was Officer Brad Arn.

He didn't hesitate.

Like every officer who answers a call for help, he drove toward danger while everyone else was trying to get away.

The Ambush

As Officer Arn arrived in the 2200 block of North 22nd Street, the gunman immediately focused his attention on the marked patrol car.

Investigators say multiple rounds struck the vehicle.

Before Officer Arn even had the opportunity to step out of his patrol car, a rifle round penetrated the driver's side and struck him in the head, fatally wounding him.

He never had the chance to defend himself.

He died doing exactly what he had sworn to do—responding to protect others.

Who Was the Gunman?

The shooter was identified as William E. Lattin Jr., a 33-year-old St. Joseph man.

Authorities later determined he had armed himself heavily before leaving his apartment.

He was carrying:

• An assault-style rifle.

• A shotgun strapped to his body.

• A revolver.

• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Police estimated he fired more than 160 rounds during the incident, turning a quiet residential neighborhood into what many described as a war zone.

Was Officer Arn the Intended Target?

Investigators later revealed something chilling.

Evidence suggested Lattin may not have been shooting randomly at everyone.

According to witness statements, he reportedly allowed several civilian vehicles to pass unharmed while appearing to focus on vehicles resembling police cars. Lt. Jim Connors told reporters that investigators believed the attack appeared to be directed at law enforcement.

While investigators were never able to determine exactly what motivated Lattin, they found no evidence of a personal connection between him and Officer Arn. Instead, it appeared Officer Arn became the first victim simply because he was the first officer to respond.

The Rampage Continues

Even after Officer Arn was mortally wounded, the shooting didn't stop.

Lattin continued moving through the neighborhood, firing at homes, vehicles, and anyone in his path.

Three civilians were wounded during the attack, two seriously.

Residents hid inside their homes while officers rushed into the neighborhood to stop the gunman.

The situation remained incredibly dangerous.

Bringing the Attack to an End

Additional St. Joseph police officers and members of the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force converged on the scene.

The pursuit eventually led toward Calvary Baptist Church.

There, Sergeant Billy Paul Miller confronted the gunman.

Official accounts state Sergeant Miller fired just two rounds, killing Lattin and ending the attack before additional officers or civilians could lose their lives.

More Than a Badge

Sometimes headlines reduce people to a title.

Officer Arn was far more than "the officer who was killed."

He was:

• A Gulf War veteran who had served his country.

• A six-year veteran of the St. Joseph Police Department.

• A husband.

• The father of 2-year-old twin daughters.

His family lost a husband and father. The department lost a fellow officer.

The community lost someone who willingly put himself between danger and complete strangers.

A Lasting Legacy

Following the tragedy, Officer Arn was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor. Sergeant Billy Paul Miller also received the Medal of Valor for ending the deadly attack.

Officer Arn's name is permanently engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and he is honored each year during National Police Week. His sacrifice is also remembered by the St. Joseph Police Department and the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Why We Remember

As time passes, it becomes easy for younger generations to know only the name without knowing the story. Remembering Officer Brad Arn isn't about reliving tragedy. It's about honoring courage. It's about recognizing the risks law enforcement officers face every time they answer a call. It's about remembering that behind every badge is a person with a family waiting for them to come home.

Officer Arn never got that chance.

Yet his willingness to answer that call undoubtedly saved lives. The actions of responding officers that day prevented an even greater tragedy, and his sacrifice remains a solemn reminder of the price that public service can demand.

Today, when St. Joseph remembers Brad Arn, it remembers more than the way he died.

It remembers the way he lived—with service, commitment, and the courage to run toward danger when others could not.

Officer Bradley Thomas "Brad" Arn

End of Watch: November 10, 1998

Gone, but never forgotten.