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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sherman is the only officer of West Liberty Police Department remembered here.
Sherman is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Sherman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sherman is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sherman was 63. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sherman had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Sherman was 63. 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. Sherman had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sherman was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sherman had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at West Liberty Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from West Liberty Police Department are honored on badge.nw.