Ronald L. Tracey
Police Officer

Ronald L. Tracey

Baltimore Police Dept. — Baltimore, MD
Felonious
End of Watch July 20, 1981
Age 29
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Ronald Tracey was shot and killed with his own weapon after being attacked at the intersection of Monroe Street and Baker Street. He was handling a traffic accident when an unrelated person came up behind him and attempted to disarm him. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect was successful in gaining control of his weapon and shot him twice. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. He was paroled in January 2014. Officer Tracey had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-E5D51DA7
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 Ronald. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Tracey gave the Baltimore City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tracey.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Baltimore, MD
Platform Identity baltpd.baltimore.md.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 20, 1981
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Paroled in 2014

Police Officer Ronald L. Tracey 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Baltimore Police Dept., 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.

Baltimore Police Dept.
80
of 151 officers
53% Felonious
MD — Statewide
195
of 377 officers
51.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald L. Tracey's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Ronald L. Tracey Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 2014

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald L. Tracey is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald L. Tracey was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location