Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer J. Ryan McCandless and Officer Nick Armstrong were shot and killed as they and another officer questioned four suspicious subjects at the intersection of East Anamosa and Greenbriar Streets at about 4:30 pm.
After several minutes, a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer McCandless had served with the Rapid City Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-DE542975- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McCandless gave the Rapid City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rapid City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McCandless.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Ryan McCandless is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 58.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Rapid City Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ryan McCandless's cause is highlighted.
How James Ryan McCandless Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Ryan McCandless is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Ryan McCandless was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rapid City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
