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Michael Wayne Ritchie
Incident
Corporal Michael Ritchie was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a local convenience store at 5288 Lavey Lane in Baker. He was in uniform, en route to work when he stopped at the store to buy coffee. A suspect was inside robbing the store and disarmed Corporal Ritchie when he entered. The man then used Corporal Ritchie's service weapon to murder him and the store clerk. The man was apprehended, found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, and sentenced to life without parole. Corporal Ritchie had served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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.
Corporal Ritchie served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Ritchie.
— 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.
Michael is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1981, 1 officer at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1981, 1 officer in LA was killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 23. 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. Michael had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 23. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Michael had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 23. 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. Michael had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 18.2% of these deaths at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 18.2%. Saturdays: 27.3%.
December holds 7.7% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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 officer's handgun, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department has 13 officers remembered here, Michael 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 45-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.
