Deacon fatally stabbed at halfway house by resident
A devout Catholic deacon was stabbed to death at a Long Island halfway house where he worked for decades trying to help those living on society’s margins, police and friends said Saturday.
The violence unfolded Friday night at around 10:20 p.m., when Andre Patton, a resident of the home, Anthony House in Roosevelt, attacked deacon Patrick Logsdon, and then fled, Nassau County police said.
Responding officers found Logsdon, 70, unresponsive in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials, who said it was unclear what sparked the senseless violence.
Logsdon worked at Anthony House for more than 30 years and dedicated his life to coaching the thousands of ex-cons who cycled through the home and elsewhere, his friends said.
“He would talk to incarcerated men maybe seven times a day at half-hour a clip,” said Jim Pfeifer, 60, who worked at the home with Logsdon for four years — and was married to his wife by the deacon.
“The top of that house right there is a study, a little place he went to pray, and he must’ve gone up there five times a day to meditate, pray. The guy owned nothing. Slept on the floor.”
Another pal, Robert Auricchio, choked back tears as he remembered the charitable legacy of “Deacon Pat.”
“He was the kindest, most unselfish man of amazing faith and humility and charity,” said Auricchio, 57. “He gave his whole life for that ministry to give all these poor guys that were in prison for such a long time [a new life].
“He gave them everything he could.”
The Anthony House is a transitional home for homeless men on Long Island, many of whom are recovering addicts or ex-prisoners. The home is run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic volunteer organization.
Police said there have been no other recent reports of violence at the home.
Patton, 47, is described as a 6’0, 200 lb. bald man. Police warned Saturday not to approach him and to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS with tips.
“He stabbed a 70-year-old man multiple times in a religious place that gives hope to those that are going through substance abuse or who are homeless, so he is dangerous,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said at a press conference Saturday.
Additional reporting by Amanda Woods
The violence unfolded Friday night at around 10:20 p.m., when Andre Patton, a resident of the home, Anthony House in Roosevelt, attacked deacon Patrick Logsdon, and then fled, Nassau County police said.
Responding officers found Logsdon, 70, unresponsive in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials, who said it was unclear what sparked the senseless violence.
Logsdon worked at Anthony House for more than 30 years and dedicated his life to coaching the thousands of ex-cons who cycled through the home and elsewhere, his friends said.
“He would talk to incarcerated men maybe seven times a day at half-hour a clip,” said Jim Pfeifer, 60, who worked at the home with Logsdon for four years — and was married to his wife by the deacon.
“The top of that house right there is a study, a little place he went to pray, and he must’ve gone up there five times a day to meditate, pray. The guy owned nothing. Slept on the floor.”
Another pal, Robert Auricchio, choked back tears as he remembered the charitable legacy of “Deacon Pat.”
“He was the kindest, most unselfish man of amazing faith and humility and charity,” said Auricchio, 57. “He gave his whole life for that ministry to give all these poor guys that were in prison for such a long time [a new life].
“He gave them everything he could.”
The Anthony House is a transitional home for homeless men on Long Island, many of whom are recovering addicts or ex-prisoners. The home is run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic volunteer organization.
Police said there have been no other recent reports of violence at the home.
Patton, 47, is described as a 6’0, 200 lb. bald man. Police warned Saturday not to approach him and to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS with tips.
“He stabbed a 70-year-old man multiple times in a religious place that gives hope to those that are going through substance abuse or who are homeless, so he is dangerous,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said at a press conference Saturday.
Additional reporting by Amanda Woods
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