John Rikard

Asheville Police Dept. — Asheville, NC

Suicide Honored

End of Watch December 9, 2015

Age 38

The Vigil Panel 165 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Biography

Sergeant Rikard completed suicide at the age of 38 after 13 years of service. Sergeant Rikard served in the roles of Patrol Officer, Community Resource Officer, and General Assignment, Central Business District Supervisor, West District Sergeant and Major Case Detective. While not on duty, John loved every single moment he had with his son, Tucker. He also loved watching his UGA bulldogs, working out, hunting, fishing and traveling to new places with his family. Since his death, his wife has raised money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in honor of John under the team name Rikard’s Warriors and has become an integral member of the Blue H.E.L.P. team.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NC-FA07CB86
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

Officer John Rikard served with the Asheville Police Department.
Thank you for your service. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Asheville Police Dept.

Location Asheville, NC

Platform Identity apd.buncombe.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 9, 2015

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Suicide

John Rikard is one of 256 officers honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job across the full record of this memorial — 0.8% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NC, 4 of 664 officers were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 0.6% of this state's fallen.

At Asheville Police Dept., 1 of 9 officers on record were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 11.1% of this agency's fallen.

Asheville Police Dept.

of 9 officers

11.1% Suicide

NC — Statewide

of 664 officers

0.6% Suicide

Nationwide

256

of 32,508 officers

0.8% Suicide