Ryan Phillip Hendrix
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix was shot and killed when he responded to a vehicle tampering and shooting call in the area of Bethea Drive and Piney Ridge Drive in Mountain Home.
A citizen called 911 at about 3:00 am after discovering someone breaking into a vehicle. The citizen retrieved a firearm and confronted the subject. The subject had stolen a firearm from the vehicle and the two exchanged gunshots.
Deputy Hendrix and other deputies arrived on the scene and confronted the subject, who was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation. The man initially complied with commands but then grabbed the handgun and opened fire, striking Deputy Hendrix. The other deputies returned fire and killed the subject.
Deputy Hendrix was transported to a local hospital where it was determined he could not survive. He was declared medically deceased so that his organs could be donated.
Deputy Hendrix was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for eight years, years, most recently as a Patrol Shift Detective and as a member of the SWAT Team.
Survivors
He is survived by his two children and fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-6217C51C- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Hendrix gave the Henderson County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hendersonville community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ryan Phillip Hendrix served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Phillip Hendrix 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Henderson County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ryan Phillip Hendrix's cause is highlighted.
How Ryan Phillip Hendrix Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ryan Phillip Hendrix is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ryan Phillip Hendrix was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Henderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
