United States of America
Headstone of Frederick Albert Riggenbach
U.S. Navy · United States United States

Frederick Albert Riggenbach

Died January 26, 2013

Frederick Albert Riggenbach served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years and 2 months. Frederick served during the years of the Cold War.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Gunshot wound
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened

Location: Louisiana
Weapon: Shotgun
Offender: Declared insane

Sergeant Rick Riggenbach was shot and killed after he and two St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office deputies responded to reports of a mobile home fire and an armed subject on Flatown Road, near Charenton, shortly after 9:00 am. The fire was reported just off of tribal land about one-quarter mile from a Chitimacha-owned casino.

When Sergeant Riggenbach arrived at the scene, the subject shot him with a shotgun, fatally wounding him. The subject then opened fire on the two St. Mary Parish deputies as they arrived at the scene moments later. Both deputies were critically wounded. The subject, who was also wounded at some point during the incident, was taken into custody by responding officers and transported to a local hospital.

After the house fire was extinguished, the body of its owner was discovered in the debris. The subject who started the fire was a neighbor with a history of mental illness.

On November 26, 2014, the suspect, 49, was declared insane and committed to a mental institution.

Sergeant Riggenbach was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department for 4-1/2 years. He had previously served 10-1/2 years with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.

Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, three daughters, and grandchildren.
Media
Frederick Albert Riggenbach
Frederick Albert Riggenbach 0 views
Service Record
U.S. Navy
1979 – 1981
Also Served
Chitimacha Tribal Police Department
Sergeant
Memorials
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Panel 62W · Line 28 cut as FREDERICK ALBERT RIGGENBACH
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtnsqb4p8v1e79d52kcha
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated August 2, 2026

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In tribute

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.

Sergeant Riggenbach gave the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department 15 years.

Thank you for your service to the Charenton community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.

Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

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