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Incident
Patrolman Ricky Cash was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Jonesboro Road and College Street in Forest Park. Patrolman Cash made a traffic stop on a vehicle with two occupants. Patrolman Cash radioed for backup after the passenger started acting suspiciously. A lieutenant was nearby and responded to assist Patrolman Cash. When the lieutenant arrived, he and Patrolman Cash started questioning the passenger outside the vehicle. During their conversation, the passenger assaulted Patrolman Cash and produced a small revolver. Patrolman Cash and the passenger started struggling, and the passenger shot Patrolman Cash several times, killing him. The passenger then shot the lieutenant, who returned fire, striking the passenger. The passenger was able to get back into the vehicle and fled the scene. Patrolman Cash and his lieutenant were rushed to a local hospital, where Patrolman Cash later died. The suspects went to the same hospital, and the driver dropped off the passenger, who was also rushed to surgery, where he died. Unbeknownst to either officer, the two suspects were also suspects in a homicide that occurred six months earlier. The driver pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences for Patrolman Cash's murder and two other murders. Patrolman Cash had served with the Forest Park Police Department for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, stepdaughter, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrolman Cash gave the Forest Park Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Forest Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cash.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richard is the only officer of Forest Park Police Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1996, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 25. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 25. 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. Richard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Forest Park Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 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 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Forest Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.