Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff W.C. Ricker was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a jail escapee. The suspect was later apprehended in Billings, Montana. The man was convicted of Sheriff Ricker's murder and sentenced to death. Several days before his hanging the State Supreme Court issued a stay of execution. On March 29, 1902, a group of angry citizens took him from the county jail and hanged him. Sheriff Ricker was a U.S. Army veteran of the Indian Wars and Spanish American War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-06170D16- 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.
Sheriff Ricker served with the Natrona County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Casper 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
W. C. Ricker served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff W. C. Ricker 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Natrona County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. C. Ricker's cause is highlighted.
How W. C. Ricker Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. C. Ricker is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. C. Ricker was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Natrona County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
