Incident
Sergeant Mary Ricard was killed when she was stabbed in the neck as an inmate attacked her and another corrections sergeant at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Crowley, Colorado.
The inmate, a convicted child rapist, attacked the two female sergeants in the kitchen area of the medium-security prison while breakfast was being prepared. The inmate was able to inflict serious wounds on both sergeants before being subdued. Sergeant Ricard succumbed to her injuries while the other sergeant was critically injured.
In August 2019, the inmate, who was serving a 35 years-to-life sentence, was re-sentenced to life and 48 years.
Sergeant Ricard had served with the Colorado Department of Corrections for nine years.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and four children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Ricard gave the Colorado Department of Corrections 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ricard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Mary is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Mary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mary 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 2012, 1 officer at Colorado Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 8.
In 2012, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2012, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mary was 55. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Colorado Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 62.3; the middle age was 53.5. Mary had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Mary was 55. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Mary had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Mary was 55. 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. Mary had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mary was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mary had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 64.3%. Mondays: 14.3%.
September holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Her people
Colorado Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, Mary among them.
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Thomas Tobin Jul 4, 1899
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William C. Rooney Jan 22, 1900
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John B. Russell Jun 19, 1913
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Raymond Brown Oct 3, 1929
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John J. Eeles Oct 3, 1929
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Elmer G. Erwin Oct 3, 1929
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J. W. McClelland Oct 3, 1929
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C. Walter Rinker Oct 3, 1929
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Charles G. Shepherd Oct 3, 1929
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Robert A. Wiggins Oct 3, 1929
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Myron H. Goodwin Oct 10, 1929
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Victor Bryan McMillin Dec 21, 1961
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Marc A. Perse
Aug 15, 1994
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Eric Jason Autobee
Oct 18, 2002
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Mary Katherine Ricard
Sep 24, 2012
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Thomas Lynn Clements
Mar 19, 2013
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Joshua Eli Voth
Dec 4, 2019
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Christine Guerin-Sandoval
Sep 28, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Colorado Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.




