Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Keith Ruiz was shot and killed as he and other SWAT team members were attempting to serve a narcotics warrant around 9:30 p.m.
Deputy Ruiz's unit was working with the Capital Area Narcotics Task Force. As the officers attempted to enter the mobile home, they identified themselves, and the suspect immediately opened fire, striking Deputy Ruiz in the chest between two panels on his vest. Another deputy returned fire, wounding the suspect in the hand. Deputy Ruiz was flown to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect was charged with capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. He is eligible for parole in 2041
Deputy Ruiz had served with the Travis County Sheriff's Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4812CEAD- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ruiz gave the Travis County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ruiz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Keith George Ruiz 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Travis County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Keith George Ruiz's cause is highlighted.
How Keith George Ruiz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Keith George Ruiz is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Travis County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
