Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Ritchie was shot and killed and another deputy was seriously wounded during a gun battle with five men near Buckhorn Lake. Deputy Ritchie and the other deputy stopped to investigate four brothers sitting on a bridge rail. As they attempted to arrest one of the subjects, gunfire erupted with the brothers and their father who drove up on the scene. Deputy Ritchie was killed instantly, the other deputy was shot in the abdomen, and one of the suspects was shot in the leg. All five were later apprehended and charged with murder. One suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years. Two others were convicted of reckless homicide and sentenced to two and four years in prison. The boy's father admitted shooting the other deputy but said he did so in self defense. He was acquitted.
Survivors
Deputy Ritchie was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-BD9ACC14- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ritchie gave the Perry County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ritchie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Hiram A. Ritchie 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Perry County Sheriff's Office, 19 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hiram A. Ritchie's cause is highlighted.
How Hiram A. Ritchie Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hiram A. Ritchie is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hiram A. Ritchie was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Perry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
