Former Memphis Cop Federally Indicted for 2021 Murder

Patric Ferguson accused of Civil Rights Violations, Kidnapping, and Weapons Offenses

Memphis – A former Memphis police officer, Patric Ferguson, faced a federal indictment on Wednesday on several charges revolving around a 2021 kidnapping, murder, and an attempted cover-up, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee in a press release.

Ferguson was indicted for civil rights violations, kidnapping, weapons offenses, and for alleged conspiracy with a civilian to cover up a murder and destroy the evidence. The U.S. Attorney’s office divulged that Ferguson was on duty on the night he “kidnapped and shot R.H. in the head, resulting in R.H.’s death.”

The Cover-Up

The victim, identified in state court documents as Robert Howard, was allegedly abducted and shot by Ferguson, who then aligned with Joshua Rodgers to cover up the fatal incident. The press release asserted, “Ferguson then allegedly conspired with [Joshua] Rodgers to cover up the fatal shooting by disposing of R.H.’s body in the Wolf River in Memphis”. Rodgers was also accused of disposing of the car used to transport Howard’s body by selling it at a scrap metal dealership.

Prior Criminal Charges

Ferguson already faced criminal charges at the state level mere days after the shooting on January 5, 2021. He was charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, official misconduct, and official oppression charges. Although Ferguson was later indicted, the state case still awaits resolution.

Evidence found on Ferguson’s Cell Phone

An affidavit in the state case revealed incriminating evidence found on Ferguson’s cell phone. According to the document, the former officer’s phone held searches about cleaning crime scenes and destroying evidence. Additionally, evidence was obtained which showed Ferguson purchased cinder blocks, chains, and padlocks from a hardware store. Based on the affidavit, these items were later found to have been used by Ferguson to hide evidence.

A surveillance video obtained by investigators reportedly captured the shooting of the victim while Ferguson was still on-duty. The affidavit further affirmed that Ferguson rescinded his Miranda rights and confessed to the crime to the investigators.

Ferguson’s Confession

Ferguson confessed to going to the victim’s home, confronting him outside, and then forcefully making him get into the back of his vehicle. According to the affidavit, “Ferguson then drove to a nearby location where he shot the victim while in the back of the patrol car.”

Following this, Ferguson reportedly drove to a different location where he placed the victim before returning later to move the body. He further confessed to recruiting a friend, later identified as Rodgers, to help move the body.

Rodgers’ Involvement

Rodgers, on the other hand, also waived his Miranda rights and admitted to helping Ferguson move Howard’s body “from the first location to Rodgers’ residence.” Having been on bail since June 2023, Rodgers now also faces the wrath of justice in connection with the heinous crime.