Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rick Coyle succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while serving papers at a home on the 2800 block of KY 365 in Sturgis.
Deputy Coyle and additional officers were serving emergency guardianship paperwork when they were met with gunfire. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect.
Deputy Coyle was transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville. Four weeks later, he succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Coyle had served with the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office for two years as a School Resource Officer and previously served with the Chicago Police Department for 28 years.
Survivors
Deputy Coyle had served with the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office for two years as a School Resource Officer and previously served with the Chicago Police Department for 28 years. Survivors include his wife, sister, and three nieces.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E1FC41B9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- May 1, 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 Richard. 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Coyle gave the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coyle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Richard Coyle 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 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 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Coyle's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Coyle Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Coyle is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Coyle was killed by gun; unknown type.