Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ricky Del Fiorentino was shot and killed while searching for a subject who had abducted two people in Oregon earlier in the day and then shot at a store owner near Leggett, California.
Officers from multiple agencies were searching the area when Deputy Del Fiorentino came across the subject's car on a dirt road in the town of Cleone, near MacKerricher State Park. The subject opened fire on Deputy Del Fiorentino from ambush, firing multiple rounds and fatally wounding him before he had a chance to exit his vehicle.
A Fort Bragg police officer who was nearby and heard the gunfire responded to the scene to discover the subject going through Deputy Del Fiorentino's patrol car. The officer exchanged shots with the subject and struck him in the leg, causing a fatal wound.
Deputy Del Fiorentino had served with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and Fort Bragg Police Department for a total of 26 years.
Deputy Sheriff Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino, tomorrow’s 5K Officer Down Memorial Run is for you. Going through the police academy, and every day there on afterwards on patrol, I’ll be thinking of you. Thank you for your service and everlasting impact.
Keyona Martinez Fort Bragg Police Department May 8th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-715A4699- 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 Ricky. 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Del Fiorentino gave the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ukiah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Del Fiorentino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino's cause is highlighted.
How Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ricky Paul Del Fiorentino was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mendocino County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.


