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Incident
Detective Christopher Ridley was shot and killed after being mistaken for a suspect in White Plains, New York.
Detective Ridley was off duty when he observed a fight between two homeless men near the intersection of Court Street and Martine Avenue at approximately 5:00 pm. He exited his vehicle and attempted to break up the fight but was violently attacked by the aggressor. During the struggle, Detective Ridley's handgun fell to the ground and discharged, attracting the attention of two Westchester County police officers who were in an adjacent county building.
The two officers approached the scene as Detective Ridley picked up his weapon from the ground. Not realizing that Detective Ridley was a police officer, the two officers ordered him to drop his weapon and then fired when he did not comply, fatally wounding him.
Detective Ridley had served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for one year.
He was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
Detective Ridley had served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother and father.
In Our Keeping
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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
You barely got started.
Detective Ridley gave the Mount Vernon Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ridley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mount Vernon Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Christopher is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 2 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 2008, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2008, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Christopher was 23. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Christopher had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Christopher was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 23. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Christopher had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.5%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Mount Vernon Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Mount Vernon Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mount Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
