Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Sherman Ricketts was shot and killed in front of the Presbyterian Church after responding to a call to check on a man walking on Reynolds Street at 2:45 a.m. The suspect opened fire as soon as he approached him. Before dying, the marshal returned fire, hitting the suspect three times. The suspect, a 25-year-old Michigan parole violator, had broken into nearby residences. He was convicted of Marshal Ricketts' murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 8, 1962. He was denied parole in April 2019. As of 2020, he remained in the Ohio Penitentiary as Ohio's longest-serving inmate. He died in prison in 2021. Marshall Rickets had served with the West Liberty Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-7005D6BE- 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.
Marshal Ricketts gave the West Liberty Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Liberty community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Ricketts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Sherman Monroe Ricketts 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 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. Sherman Monroe Ricketts's cause is highlighted.
How Sherman Monroe Ricketts Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sherman Monroe Ricketts is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sherman Monroe Ricketts was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.