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Ralph G. Hancock
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ralph Hancock and Deputy Sheriff Ralph Dwayne Wilder were shot and killed during a civil rights demonstration that turned into a riot on North Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge. Police converged on the demonstration when three newsmen were attacked. A single shot was fired from an unknown person followed by a fierce gun battle between demonstrators and police. Two demonstrators were killed and 34 others were injured. Several suspects were arrested. Eventually, 13 suspects were charged in connection with Deputy Wilder's and Deputy Hancock's murder. On May 8th, 1973, nine suspects were convicted of inciting a riot and participating in a riot in which death occurred. They were each sentenced to 21 years in prison. On March 31st, 1975, the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned their convictions stating that they could not and did not receive a fair trial in Baton Rouge. After the trial of the 13 suspects was over, the key witness in the trial received several death threats. On June 13th, 1974, he was found shot to death outside his office in Baton Rouge. Deputy Hancock had served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hancock gave the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hancock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department has lost 13 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 2 officers at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 6 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.8 and 43; the middle age was 40. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ralph was 30. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ralph was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 18.2% of these deaths at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 36.4%.
January holds 8.2% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 12.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.6% of all 13 deaths at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department has 13 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
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Robert B. Day
Mar 29, 1924
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Joseph Arnold Le Jeune
Dec 31, 1925
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Glynn E. Averette
Dec 12, 1961
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Charles H. Hurt
Nov 13, 1963
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Ralph G. Hancock
Jan 10, 1972
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Ralph Dwayne Wilder
Jan 10, 1972
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Michael Wayne Ritchie
Dec 12, 1981
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Jimmy Charles Matthews
Apr 26, 1982
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Gerald Kevin Simmons
Nov 21, 1988
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Bradford Allen Garafola, Sr.
Jul 17, 2016
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Shawn Thomas Anderson
Mar 18, 2017
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Steven Dewayne Whitstine
May 30, 2019
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Nicholas W. Tullier
May 5, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
