Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Monte Ruby succumbed to an injury sustained four days earlier when he was assaulted by a prisoner who was receiving medical aid at Cox North Hospital at 1423 North Jefferson Avenue in Springfield.
The prisoner had been taken to the hospital for treatment from dog bites sustained during his arrest earlier in the evening. While in the emergency room, he became combative and kicked Officer Ruby in the neck. Despite his injury, Officer Ruby and a Springfield police officer were able to subdue the suspect.
Officer Ruby collapsed moments later and was immediately treated for a neck and spine injury caused by the kick. He succumbed to the injury four days later.
The prisoner was convicted of Officer Ruby's murder and sentenced to life plus 7 years for assault to be served consecutively.
Officer Ruby had served with the CoxHealth Department of Public Safety for 15 years and held a commission through the Greene County Sheriff's Department. He had previously served as a reserve officer with the Springfield Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A570CC1B- 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.
Officer Ruby gave the CoxHealth Department of Public Safety 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Missouri. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Ruby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Monte Ruby 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Monte Ruby's cause is highlighted.
How Monte Ruby Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Monte Ruby is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Monte Ruby was killed by person.