The Killing of Patrick Kirby

On December 24th, 2023, Patrick Kirby was alone in his apartment on Charles Street across from Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.

Late in the night, neighbors heard Patrick repeat to himself “Help me. Kill me.”

This caused the neighbors to call 911 and report what they heard.

Two Rockford police officers, Michael Rhein and Carlye Heitter responded to the call and eventually made their way inside the apartment building. Once they identified Patrick’s apartment, they began to knock on the door asking for him to exit. The door was slightly open, but they did not enter.

Patrick came to open the door with a box cutter and small knife in hand. Rhein withdrew his gun, pointed it at Patrick and shouted for him to drop the weapons.

When Patrick didn’t, Rhein shot him twice in the chest that eventually killed him.

The Rockford Police Department released body camera footage from Rhein that showed the killing take place. The link below shows that footage.

Patrick was 29 years old at the time. Below is a copy of Patrick’s obituary.

This was the 37th case investigated and justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force.