Ricky Lee Ward

Mexia Police Department — Mexia, TX

Felonious

End of Watch August 2, 1993

Age 33

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 308

The Vigil Panel 139 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Ricky Ward was shot and killed while chasing a suspected shoplifter. During the chase, the suspect dropped a matchbox. Believing it contained narcotics, Patrolman Ward stopped to pick it up as evidence. The suspect's cousin was hiding in some bushes next to where Patrolman Ward was and opened fire with a .380 caliber automatic pistol. One round struck Patrolman Ward in the side, passing in between the panels of his vest, and penetrated his aorta. Patrolman Ward was transported to a local hospital, where he died approximately two hours later. The shoplifting suspect was never charged in Patrolman Ward's murder; however, the shooting suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. He is eligible for parole in 2028. Patrolman Ward had been employed with the Mexia Police Department for two years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-52F49134
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.
Patrolman Ward gave the Mexia Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mexia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ward.

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

Agency

Department Mexia Police Department

Location Mexia, TX

Platform Identity mpd.limestone.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1993

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 33

Badge Number 308

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .380 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Ricky Lee Ward 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 Mexia Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Mexia Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious