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Incident
Deputy Ritchie was shot and killed and another deputy was seriously wounded during a gun battle with five men near Buckhorn Lake. Deputy Ritchie and the other deputy stopped to investigate four brothers sitting on a bridge rail. As they attempted to arrest one of the subjects, gunfire erupted with the brothers and their father who drove up on the scene. Deputy Ritchie was killed instantly, the other deputy was shot in the abdomen, and one of the suspects was shot in the leg. All five were later apprehended and charged with murder. One suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years. Two others were convicted of reckless homicide and sentenced to two and four years in prison. The boy's father admitted shooting the other deputy but said he did so in self defense. He was acquitted.
Survivors
Deputy Ritchie was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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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. Hiram is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ritchie gave the Perry County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ritchie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Hiram Alex Ritchie served in the U.S. Army (1969â1971) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Perry County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Hiram is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Hiram is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Hiram 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 1980, 1 officer at Perry County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 3.
In 1980, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hiram was 29. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Perry County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 48; the middle age was 43. Hiram had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 1.5 years.
Hiram was 29. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Hiram had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Hiram was 29. 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. Hiram had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hiram was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hiram had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 5.3% of these deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 26.3%. Mondays: 10.5%.
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 19 deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 10.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Perry County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, Hiram among them.
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Lem Nolan Oct 10, 1916
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Jerry Cornett
Apr 20, 1920
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Walter Nathaniel Campbell
Sep 23, 1921
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Richard J. Crawford Aug 4, 1922
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James Holiday Sep 22, 1922
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Robert H. Napier
Dec 21, 1922
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William Smith
Dec 24, 1923
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Hiram C. Wooton Dec 30, 1927
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Mack Summers
Dec 23, 1928
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Borkan Jones Mar 29, 1929
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Elhanon Jones Feb 10, 1940
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Linville Higgins Miller
Sep 20, 1942
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James Cornett Dec 24, 1943
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Jerry Stamper
Mar 4, 1950
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Bill Baker Mar 11, 1950
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George Puckett Apr 26, 1950
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Sam Fields Nov 10, 1956
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Hiram Alex Ritchie
Jun 30, 1980
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Alex Eversole
Jan 4, 1983
Military Service
Hiram Alex Ritchie served in the U.S. Army (1969–1971) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Hiram Alex Ritchie’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 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Perry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
