The 29-year-old man, who was murdered in his Bel Air apartment and is expected to receive a posthumous degree from Harford Community College, will be remembered today (Friday) at a vigil being held by his close friends.
Mr. Ward, who is survived by two sisters, a brother and his parents, was laid to rest Wednesday following a funeral mass at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Bel Air.
By 2 p.m. Thursday, there were 18 posts to his online obituary guest book expressing sadness and condolences to the family.
"Pat touched the lives of so many people. He always had good spirits about everything. Always willing to help the people he knew with whatever they may need. He was a fighter and over came all the adversities that came his way. You will be missed loved and respected always. Until we meet again," wrote Kevin Wilson of Bel Air.
Others wrote about the young man's kindness as well his sudden passing.
"Our prayers go out to Patrick's family. We have lived in Bel Air for 27 years and so are shocked and deeply saddened for what has happened to this young man. May God stay close by your side at this time," Regina and Robert Brown of Bel Air wrote Monday.
Mr. Ward was nearing the completion of his undergraduate degree at HCC where he first enrolled in the fall of 1999.
The HCC Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to award Mr. Ward a posthumous degree in Mass Communications—Advertising Sales.
At the time of his death, Mr. Ward had completed all but one class required for the degree, according to the college. After reviewing his record and learning that his family supports the request, the board voted unanimously to approve the request.
Mr. Ward was stabbed to death last Friday after what police say was a burglary attempt.
Donnell Graham, 17, of the 200 block of Fairwood Drive, was charged as an adult Saturday with first-and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection with the stabbing death of Mr. Ward.
Around 8:48 p.m. Aug. 5, a neighbor called 911 to report hearing two men yelling inside Mr. Ward's apartment. The caller said one of the men kept repeating the phrase, "it's under the futon," according to the initial call for police service.
Neighbors tried to get into the apartment through the front door and when that didn't work, climbed in the apartment by way of the balcony, according to a Harford County Sheriff's Office news release.
When deputies arrived they found two people holding a towel to Mr. Ward's chest and trying to keep him talking, according to the police report.
The two witnesses, whose names police don't plan to keep anonymous until trial, said Mr. Ward had been stabbed multiple times in the back and chest, according to the police report and charging documents.
Bel Air Volunteer Fire emergency personnel arrived and transported Mr. Ward to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air by ambulance, but he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.
Witnesses outside the apartment told police someone named "Darnell" had allegedly stabbed Mr. Ward, according to the report.
Police dogs tracked the scent from the crime scene to an apartment building practically across the street, on Fairwood Drive, where Graham lives.
Investigators found bloody pants and a knife outside the home, a prosecutor said during Monday's bail review hearing.
Graham matched the suspect's description police were given and witnesses identified him as the man they saw in Mr. Ward's apartment.
The same prosecutor said Graham has confessed to the killing.
Sheriff's detectives say they believe Graham was caught unaware by Mr. Ward's presence in the home during an alleged burglary attempt and a struggle ensued.
There is no indication that a gun was involved in the crime or that accomplices were involved with the crime, according to Monica Worrell, public information officer with the sheriff's office.
A candlelight vigil honoring Mr. Ward's life will be held today (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. on the field at the corner of Todd Road and Brierhill Drive, close to where Mr. Ward lived.