Police say a Leitchfield, KY woman had an active domestic violence order against her ex-boyfriend 43-year-old Patrick Dewayne Decker. Recently, the order was amended to allow Decker to stay in his parent’s home, which is located next door to his ex-girlfriend’s home, with the stipulation that he ‘not commit any further acts of violence’. Decker was told by family members and the courts to stay away from her home and not to have any contact or communication with her.

But do criminals follow rules or the law?

Nope.

Grayson County Sheriff’s Department dispatchers received a call shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night from the woman saying her ex-boyfriend “had busted in her front door and caused her to fire several shots at him when he entered her home.”

Authorities said Decker had ignored the restraining order and went to her house where he proceeded to bang on the windows and doors. After Decker kicked in the door and gained entry into her home, the woman fired several shots at him, hitting him in the chest at least one time. Decker ran a couple hundred feet back to his parent’s home next door before collapsing in their driveway and the coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.

According to police, Decker’s criminal history includes burglary, rape, kidnapping and assault. The sheriff’s release also stated his ex-girlfriend feared for her life and the life of her 11-year-old son, who was in the home at the time of the incident.

Bravo to this woman for protecting herself and her child with more than just a piece of paper!