Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Rice was shot and killed while at the scene of a call involving a mentally ill man firing a gun at cars in Smith Valley near the Smith Valley School. The suspect was barricaded in his house, and Deputy Rice was standing about 20 yards away when the man opened fire, striking Deputy Rice in the head. The suspect was taken into custody during a SWAT operation later in the night. The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Deputy Rice was a United States Air Force Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office for three years. He previously served with the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-32817497- 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 Rice gave the Lyon County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yerington community, and 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
George T. Rice served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff George T. Rice 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lyon 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. George T. Rice's cause is highlighted.
How George T. Rice Compares
Offender Outcome
Life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George T. Rice is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George T. Rice was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lyon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
