Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Thompson was shot and killed in the city of Kittitas following a vehicle pursuit at approximately 7:45 pm.
He had responded to a traffic complaint involving a road rage incident and attempted to stop the involved vehicle. The driver fled along I-90 and exited the interstate into Kittitas, where a city officer joined the pursuit. The vehicle came to a stop in the area of North Pierce Street and 6th Avenue. The driver opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Deputy Thompson and seriously wounding the Kittitas officer.
The subject was shot and killed in the ensuing shootout.
Deputy Thompson served in law enforcement for 12 years, including time with the Kittitas Sheriff's Office's Correctional Facility and Central Washington University Police before becoming a Kittitas Sheriff's Deputy.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children, his parents, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-DBB5D2EE- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thompson gave the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ellensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Shane Thompson 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ryan Shane Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How Ryan Shane Thompson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ryan Shane Thompson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ryan Shane Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kittitas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
