Patrick Rudd Project

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Patrick Rudd Project We're here to encourage citizens of Hopkins County to embrace local Veterans and First Responders in Honor of SGT William Patrick Rudd.

The Mission of the Patrick Rudd Project is to encourage citizens of Hopkins County to embrace local Veterans and First Responders in Honor of SGT William Patrick Rudd*, to assist Veterans through the transitional phases of their lives and to promote a better understanding of Veterans’ and First Responders’ value to our community. The vision of the Project’s Leadership Team is to focus on improving the gap between civilian and military communities and providing financial support to Hopkins County First Responders. PRP Objectives:

Everyday Heroes Mini Grants - Provide financial assistance to Hopkins County First Responders in the form of mini grants for equipment and training to help bridge the budget gap. Hopkins County Veterans Resource Center - Offer a collection of resources available to service members and Veterans with transition information and important contact numbers. PRP Future Goals:

Hiring Heroes Hopkins County - Educate community businesses, companies, and organizations on the advantages of hiring Veterans and the skill set they bring to the job. Healthy Heroes - Our U.S. Service Members, Veterans and First Responders are some of the most fit and athletic individuals in the world. It’s no wonder they actively train and compete in some of the most grueling endurance events on the planet. We honor these “healthy heroes” by supplementing their registration fees for endurance events.

*Hopkins County native, Sergeant William Patrick Rudd was killed October 5, 2008 by enemy small-arms fire while on combat patrol in Mosul, Iraq. Rudd was a team leader to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. SGT Rudd completed numerous military leadership schools as well as Airborne and Jumpmaster training and Ranger School. He served 2 tours in Afghanistan and 5 tours in Iraq. Patrick Rudd was a decorated soldier, receiving the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and many awards. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

The results are in for the 2026 Patrick Rudd Project Flag Fundraiser! 🇺🇸We have some new schools among our top three fun...
13/10/2026

The results are in for the 2026 Patrick Rudd Project Flag Fundraiser! 🇺🇸

We have some new schools among our top three fundraisers this year, but Hopkins County Career & Technology Center continues its winning streak, claiming first place once again with an impressive $1,874 raised!

🥇 1st Place: Hopkins County Career & Technology Center
🥈 2nd Place: Hanson Elementary School
🥉 3rd Place: Jesse Stuart Elementary School

Together, schools across Hopkins County raised more than $4000 to support our mission of honoring and assisting local first responders, veterans, and service members.

Pictured are the hundreds of flags purchased by CTC students and staff in support of this year’s fundraiser. Each flag represents a contribution to a cause that directly benefits those who serve our community.

We are grateful for the continued partnership of Hopkins County Schools and the students, faculty, families, and community members who make this fundraiser a success year after year.

“If you didn’t know him, you really missed out.”“That man’s laugh would make your day better.”“One of the best people I’...
05/10/2026

“If you didn’t know him, you really missed out.”

“That man’s laugh would make your day better.”

“One of the best people I’ve ever known.”

“He had an intoxicating laugh that would take over the place.”

Eighteen years later, these are still some of the things we remember most about Patrick - and some of the things we miss the most.

On October 5, 2008, just one month shy of his 28th birthday, SGT William Patrick Rudd stepped into the dark and unknown, taking the fight directly to known enemies of the United States of America. Patrick loved being a breacher. He loved being the first one in. That night, he made the ultimate sacrifice during a raid that took out the No. 2 al Qaeda leader in Iraq. His final mission was complete.

By then, Patrick had completed more than 800 combat missions and eight deployments, serving two tours in Afghanistan and five in Iraq.

The first stanza of the Army Ranger Creed states: “Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.”

Patrick lived those words. He knew the hazards, and he went anyway. Again and again. He loved being a Ranger, and he loved the country he volunteered to defend.

Eighteen years is a long time to miss someone. But time doesn’t change who Patrick was, what he meant to so many, or how deeply he is missed.

Patrick was a true American hero, but to those who knew him, he was so much more than that.

Please take a moment today to remember Patrick and the life he gave for all of us.

Freedom is not free.

Please pray for the KSP Post 3 family 💙
29/09/2026

Please pray for the KSP Post 3 family 💙

Today, we face one of the most difficult moments an agency can endure as we announce the loss of one of our own. Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, made the ultimate sacrifice while
patrolling I-65 in Warren County. He was assigned to Post 3 Bowling Green and was a graduate of Cadet Class 103. His dedication to duty and commitment to the commonwealth will not
be forgotten.
Our hearts break for Trooper Phillips’ family, loved ones, and fellow troopers as we grieve this tremendous loss. We will carry his memory with us, honor the life he lived and the badge he wore, and stand together as an agency to support this family in the days ahead.
-Colonel Phillip Burnett, Jr.

September 11, 2026Twenty-five years later, we remember.We remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, the famil...
11/09/2026

September 11, 2026

Twenty-five years later, we remember.

We remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the countless acts of courage and compassion that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days.

We remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders, service members, and ordinary citizens who stepped forward when others needed them most. And we honor those who, in the years that followed, answered a call to serve - many inspired by the events of that day.

For the Patrick Rudd Project, that commitment to service carries special meaning. We are reminded today of the sacrifice of those who serve, the families who stand beside them, and the responsibility we all share to remember those who gave so much.

Twenty-five years have passed, but we have not forgotten.

We remember the fallen. We honor the heroes. We stand with those who serve.

Never forget.

We had a couple of hours before our flight out of DC, so we stopped by USAA’s Military Monument on the National Mall ❤️
07/08/2026

We had a couple of hours before our flight out of DC, so we stopped by USAA’s Military Monument on the National Mall ❤️

Fair winds and following seas.
08/07/2026

Fair winds and following seas.

: The U.S. Navy identified the missing Sailor following an MH-60s Sea Hawk helicopter’s emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, July 1, as Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5.

🇺🇸 May Freedom Forever Fly 🇺🇸
04/07/2026

🇺🇸 May Freedom Forever Fly 🇺🇸

Such a loss. Their families are in our prayers.
30/06/2026

Such a loss. Their families are in our prayers.

Emily Barker. Nick Hutcherson. Sydney Watson.

The three wildland firefighters were killed while battling a fast-moving wildfire along the Colorado-Utah border after officials say they deployed emergency fire shelters in a last attempt to survive. They're being remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice protecting others: http://www.wbir.com/article/news/nation-world/firefighters-killed-colorado-utah-wildfire-identified/507-459348be-cd06-4dc7-a004-64e27d13707b?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WBIR_Channel_10

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