Roll of Honor
Ryan A. Balmer
Incident
Location: Overseas Weapon: Explosives; Bomb Offender: Not available
Special Agent Ryan Balmer and Special Agent Matthew Kuglics were killed when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Kirkuk, Iraq.
The agents had been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and were assigned to assist with security and protection of Air Force property to identify and stop terrorist threats.
Special Agent Balmer had served with the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations for two years and previously served in the Security Police Unit for eight years. He joined the US Air Force in 1993, attaining the rank of technical sergeant and before his deployment to Iraq was stationed at Hill AFB in Utah.
Survivors
Special Agent Balmer is survived by his wife, 7- and 11-year-old sons, 1-year-old daughter, mother, five brothers and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-BE6A0D1B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Balmer gave the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations 12 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ryan A. Balmer served in the U.S. Air Force (1993â2007) before joining law enforcement.
Special Agent Ryan A. Balmer 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 15 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ryan A. Balmer's cause is highlighted.
How Ryan A. Balmer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ryan A. Balmer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ryan A. Balmer was killed by explosives; bomb.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ryan A. Balmer served in the U.S. Air Force (1993–2007) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ryan A. Balmer’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
