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Ryan Andrew Hayworth
Incident
Police Officer Ryan Hayworth was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver at about 2:40 am.
Officer Hayworth, along with his training officer, were at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on I-540, near mile marker 22, when their patrol car was struck by the other vehicle, which failed to move over or reduce its speed. Officer Hayworth suffered fatal injuries in the collision. His training officer, as well as the original accident victim and the suspected drunk driver, were seriously injured. In 2022 the suspect was charged with second degree murder.
Officer Hayworth was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Knightdale Police Department for only three months. He is survived by his father, mother, brother, and two step-brothers. His father was a retired Police Chief of the Zebulon Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his father, mother, brother, and two step-brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ryan is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Hayworth served with the Knightdale Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Knightdale community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ryan Andrew Hayworth served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ryan is the only officer of Knightdale Police Department remembered here.
Ryan is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ryan was 23. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Ryan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ryan was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ryan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ryan was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ryan had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Knightdale Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Ryan Andrew Hayworth served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ryan Andrew Hayworth’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Knightdale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.