ONE CHOICE (In Production)
Nearly 25 years after State Trooper, Scott Patrick, was killed in the line of duty his wife and son are confronted with the ultimate test of faith. Will they be able to forgive the man that took his life?
One Choice is a gripping documentary that explores the emotional journey of unimaginable loss and the wavering path to forgiveness.
Set in Northwest Indiana, and inspired by the devastating murder of State Trooper Scott Patrick, we navigate the crossroads where absolute tragedy meets tolerance and mercy.
Story
In December of 2003 at approximately 4:30am, Indiana State Trooper Scott Patrick was alerted that a stranded driver was in need of assistance.
Upon his arrival, Trooper Patrick saw the vehicle parked with two flat tires and observed a man walking up the nearby exit ramp. When Trooper Patrick approached to offer help, the suspect pulled a handgun and opened fire.
Despite being shot once in the neck, Trooper Patrick was able to radio for assistance and return fire. The suspect, 19yr old Daryl Jeeter, was shot multiple times by an assisting trooper that arrived on the scene. Jeeter survived. Officer Patrick died less than a half an hour later while in surgery.
Daryl Jeeter was sentenced to life in prison without the opportunity for parole. His one choice to pull the trigger that day left Officer Patrick's wife, Melissa, without a husband and without a father for their unborn child.
Now, almost 25 years later, Melissa and her son are confronted with the ultimate act of faith. Forgiving the man that killed Scott Patrick.
Structure
ACT ONE will briefly explore Officer Patrick's early life, the tragic details of the incident, how co-workers, friends and family dealt with Scott's passing, and if the one's closest to the State Trooper will ever be able to forgive the man who took his life. Act One will also explore the ripple affect of one choice made by Jeeter and how it has influenced the survivors of fallen officers.
ACT TWO digs deeper into Jeeter's criminal past and introduces the audience to Scott's son, Issac (now 21), and how or if he has overcome life without his father. We learn that Jeeter was up for the death penalty and is sentenced to life in prison. He also recalls what he remembers on the morning of the incident and if he wishes to be forgiven or has forgiven himself for killing Scott in 2003.
ACT THREE comes to a climax when Melissa confronts Jeeter in prison and reveals her decision to forgive or not to forgive him for the one choice he made on that tragic morning.
Style and Tone
The visual style of One Choice will be energetic, creative, and cinematic. The cinematography will be expressive and poignant. The editing style will be fast paced but will leave room for heavy emotional pause.
Interviews
EXPERT (TBD) - An authority in the field of forgiveness and the affect it has on mental health and the importance it plays in the tragedy of Officer Scott Patrick.
MELISSA - Wife of fallen officer, Scott Patrick.
MIKE - Scott's friend and fellow officer.
SANDY - Scott's mother.
DENICE - Dispatch officer that took the call the morning of the tragedy.
GRUBER - The first officer to arrive to the scene after Scott was shot.
LARRY - State Police Lieutenant at the time of the incident.
STEPHANIE - Wife of Scott's friend, Mike and Scott's fellow cadet at the academy.
CAROLYN - Wife of fallen officer Gary Dudley, who was an instructor at the academy.
ISSAC - Scott Patrick's only son.
JERRY - State prosecutor's office.
JEETER - Serving a life sentence for the murder of Scott Patrick.
