Roll of Honor
Incident
Investigator Michael Ridges was shot and killed after stopping three suspects who fitted the description of men committing vandalism to a local home. As Investigator Ridges was reviewing a series of vandalism incidents that occurred around a Prospect Heights home he noticed a car with three men inside who closely matched the physical descriptions of the offenders in the case. Investigator Ridges called in a description of the vehicle and then stopped it. Once stopped, all three men exited the car and while Investigator Ridges was checking their identities, one man drew a concealed gun and shot Investigator Ridges once in the head and once in the hand, fatally wounding him. The suspects were caught a short time later based on Investigator Ridges' original radio description, along with a description provided by a citizen who witnessed the incident. It was later revealed through a police investigation that the three men were en route to commit a contract murder at the Prospect Heights home where Investigator Ridges was investigating the vandalism incidents. One of the suspects was sentenced to life in prison and a second was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Investigator Ridges had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-1EA8E790- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Ridges gave the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Maywood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Ridges.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Michael W. Ridges 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cook County Sheriff's Police Department, 1 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 14.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael W. Ridges's cause is highlighted.
How Michael W. Ridges Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael W. Ridges is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael W. Ridges was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
