Mary Katherine Ricard
Agency patch
Sergeant

Mary Katherine Ricard

Colorado Department of Corrections — Colorado Springs, CO
Felonious
End of Watch September 24, 2012
Age 55
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 161 ›
Gender Female

Incident

Sergeant Mary Ricard was killed when she was stabbed in the neck as an inmate attacked her and another corrections sergeant at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Crowley, Colorado.

The inmate, a convicted child rapist, attacked the two female sergeants in the kitchen area of the medium-security prison while breakfast was being prepared. The inmate was able to inflict serious wounds on both sergeants before being subdued. Sergeant Ricard succumbed to her injuries while the other sergeant was critically injured.

In August 2019, the inmate, who was serving a 35 years-to-life sentence, was re-sentenced to life and 48 years.

Sergeant Ricard had served with the Colorado Department of Corrections for nine years.

Survivors

She is survived by her husband and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-4B1EF0F0
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Mary. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Ricard gave the Colorado Department of Corrections 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ricard.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Colorado Springs, CO
Platform Identity cdcorr.elpaso.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 24, 2012
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 55
Gender Female

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon
Offender Sentenced to life and 48 years

Sergeant Mary Katherine Ricard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Colorado Department of Corrections, 14 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.

Colorado Department of Corrections
14
of 18 officers
77.8% Felonious
CO — Statewide
235
of 360 officers
65.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mary Katherine Ricard's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Mary Katherine Ricard Compares

Age at End of Watch
55
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life and 48 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mary Katherine Ricard is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mary Katherine Ricard was killed by edged weapon.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location