Airman killed in 150ft rappelling tragedy was selected to perform stunt after missing out last year, heartbroken father says

An Air Force sergeant who tragically fell 150 feet to his death during a college football game had been eager to perform the stunt, his heartbroken father revealed. 

Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson, 37, a decorated service member who had been in the military over 15 years, died on Saturday in a freak accident during a stunt at the Navy-University of Texas football game at San Antonio’s Alamodome stadium.

Footage of Patterson’s death showed the airman losing his grip on a rope as he rappelled from the rafters of the football game, and he fell violently to the ground. 

He was treated on the field for around 10 minutes before being carted off and rushed to the hospital, where he later died, according to a statement from Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs. The incident is under investigation. 

As his family now struggles to come to grips with the tragedy, Patterson’s father shared how he had been looking forward to performing the rappelling stunt after missing out on it last year.

‘I was very excited. I believe he wanted to do it last year as well,’ John Patterson recounted to WDRB.

‘He didn’t do it last year. So this year, he had the opportunity.’ 

The grieving father went on to tell how his son had always wanted to serve in the United States military, explaining that it was a tradition in their family and that Ian had grown up moving between military communities.

‘He loved the Air Force. He joined right out of high school, and that’s what he wanted,’ said John, an Army veteran.

‘He knew that the military would give him a solid career and a solid base and give him discipline and integrity.’ 

Patterson was with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that conducts advanced skills training for special warfare Airmen, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and he had previously been stationed in Korea and Germany. 

He was a highly decorated airman over his 15 years in the Air Force, including being awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal.

US Air Force Brig. Gen Scott C Mills said in a statement following the tragedy that Patterson’s death was ‘felt deeply’ by his fellow officers. 

‘Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him,’ Mills said. 

‘Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.’

But those who knew Patterson remembered him as a devoted husband to his wife, Nikki, and a father to two young boys, ages six and three.

He had also been an avid baseball fan who visited every Major League Baseball stadium in the northeast – and supported the Colorado Rockies after spending six years stationed in the state.

Patterson had also become a ‘bourbon snob’ because of his enthusiasm for collecting the spirit, his father said.

But most of all, John said, he wanted people to remember his son for his kindness, dedication and love for his family.

‘I just want to let people know that he was a wonderful man,’ he said. ‘I love him.’

Patterson’s friends shared similar sentiments at a memorial for the fallen Air Force sergeant at a local bar where he would regularly play poker with friends.

‘I want him to be remembered most as, for one, a soldier; for two, a great friend, three a family man – family man most of all,’ Tyler Hsu told KSAT.

He noted that he was still expecting his friend to walk through the doors of the bar – and said knowing he will never return was particularly painful.

‘It hurt,’ another friend, Breanna Valdez, told the outlet about how she felt after learning of Patterson’s untimely passing. ‘I didn’t want to believe it at first.

‘My heart broke really bad. It still hurts,’ she continued. ‘I don’t think you’ll ever get over something like that, especially having a good friend like that.’ 

Clips from the horror episode showed Patterson hitting the turf at tremendous speed as thousands of onlookers watched on at the military football game. 

Medics quickly rushed to the fallen Airman’s aid as he lay motionless, his body splayed at the 50-yard line.

‘Everybody was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent,’ witness Adrian Corey told KSAT.

Adrian’s mother, Siomara, described the unsettling confusion after the accident.

‘There was no updates after that other than asking for prayers, but it did not look good,’ she said. 

Despite the pre-game incident, officials proceeded with kickoff after a 10-minute delay. UTSA went on to beat Navy, 38-34, and afterwards many players took part in a group prayer for the injured Airman.

‘I know we said a prayer postgame, but they’ll continue being our thoughts and prayers, and really thinking about them,’ Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown told reporters.

The American Conference, which includes both Navy and UTSA, decided to proceed with the game before it was understood that Patterson had died, according to a statement from officials. 

Details of how Patterson fell to his death in front of thousands remain under investigation.

In the meantime, loved ones are raising money for Patterson’s family.

They wrote in an online fundraiser that his sudden death on Saturday was ‘earth-shattering’ to his wife and children.  

Nikki had been dedicated to raising and caring for their family while he was their primary financial provider, and his death means she ‘is now facing the challenge of supporting her children while grieving the loss of her partner,’ the online fundraiser notes.

A separate fundraiser for the family was created by the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). 

It was designed to help support the sergeant’s two sons as they grow up, Ramiro Villalobos, who leads TACP Foundation, told News 4 San Antonio.  

The organization will now help the boys through major milestones, including turning 16, reaching adulthood and pursuing further education.

At the same time, the organization is coordinating with military officials and family support teams to raise money for the family’s immediate expenses.

‘We’re there because dad can’t be,’ Villalobos said, noting: ‘These two young boys are going to have a bunch of uncles and aunts.’