Richard Lee Rhyne
Deputy Sheriff

Richard Lee Rhyne

Felonious
End of Watch December 8, 2011
Age 58
Tour of Duty 37 yrs
The Vigil Panel 161 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Rick Rhyne was shot and killed after responding to investigate reports of trespassing at a home on Morrison Bridge Road.

While questioning two brothers he learned that one of them had a warrant for outstanding child support. As he attempted to place the man under arrest the man fatally shot him with a handgun. The suspect then committed suicide.

Deputy Rhyne had served with the Moore County Sheriff's Office for four years and had a total of 37 years in law enforcement. He had previously served with the Pinehurst Police Department and as police chief of the Foxfire Police Department.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and two grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-0CDFCC72
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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

37 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Rhyne gave the Moore County Sheriff's Office 37 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Carthage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rhyne.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Carthage, Moore County, NC
Platform Identity mcso.moore.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 8, 2011
Tour of Duty 37 yrs
Age 58
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Richard Lee Rhyne 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Moore County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Moore County Sheriff's Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
NC — Statewide
385
of 664 officers
58% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Lee Rhyne's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Richard Lee Rhyne Compares

Age at Death
58
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Lee Rhyne is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Lee Rhyne was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Moore County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.