Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Michael Ritchie was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a local convenience store at 5288 Lavey Lane in Baker. He was in uniform, en route to work when he stopped at the store to buy coffee. A suspect was inside robbing the store and disarmed Corporal Ritchie when he entered. The man then used Corporal Ritchie's service weapon to murder him and the store clerk. The man was apprehended, found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, and sentenced to life without parole. Corporal Ritchie had served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-91F009B2- 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.
Corporal Ritchie served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Ritchie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Michael Wayne 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Dept., 11 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Wayne Ritchie's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Wayne Ritchie Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Wayne Ritchie is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Wayne Ritchie was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
