Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ryan succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous night while responding to a burglary call with another officer on South Fourth Street. The officers encountered a man with an automatic rifle. The suspect opened fire, striking Sergeant Ryan six times. He was transported to Ephraim McDowell Memorial Hospital where he died the following day. A 36-year-old suspect was later arrested, tried, and acquitted. Sergeant Ryan, who was scheduled to retire two months later, was survived by his son, who was also a member of the agency at the time of the shooting. Sergeant Ryan had served with the Danville Police Department for 26 years. He was survived by his son, two sisters, and five grandchildren. He was buried in Bellevue Cemetery.
Survivors
Sergeant Ryan, who was scheduled to retire two months later, was survived by his son, who was also a member of the agency at the time of the shooting. He was survived by his son, two sisters, and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-DC322BB2- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Ryan gave the Danville Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James Ryan Sr. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Danville Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ryan Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James Ryan Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Ryan Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Ryan Sr. was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Danville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
