Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ricky Bryant and Police Officer Eric Barker were shot and killed while working an off-duty, uniformed security detail at an apartment complex in Decatur.
Both officers were patrolling the 176-unit apartment complex when they received a report of a suspicious person on Glenwood Road. When they arrived at the location a struggle resulted with the suspect who managed to gain control of one of their service weapons and opened fire killing both officers.
A tow truck driver who happened across the scene called 911 approximately 10 minutes later.
The suspect was apprehended several days later after he was turned in by his girlfriend. He was charged with two counts of felony murder and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. He was found guilty on October 12th, 2012, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Bryant was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the DeKalb County Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-612AB79D- 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.
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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.
Police Officer Bryant gave the DeKalb County Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucker community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeKalb County Police Department, 16 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ricky L. Bryant, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from DeKalb County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
