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Incident
Senior Patrol Officer Daniel Ellis died two days after being shot while attempting to apprehend an armed robbery suspect at an apartment in the 500 block of Ballard Drive.
Multiple subjects had robbed a customer at a gas station earlier in the morning and a witness provided a vehicle description that led officers to the apartment. A male subject who answered the door denied that the robbery suspect was inside and then gave officers consent to search the apartment.
As Officer Ellis entered a back bedroom the robbery suspect, who was a parolee hiding inside, opened fire. Officer Ellis was struck in the head. His partner returned fire and wounded the subject.
Officer Ellis was taken to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where he died two days later from his wound.
Three people, including the shooter, were arrested and held in connection with the robbery and Officer Ellis' murder. The shooter agreed to a plea deal and will spend life in prison without parole. A second accomplice plead guilty and will spend at least 30 years in prison.
Officer Ellis had served with the Richmond Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and one 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.
Senior Patrol Officer Ellis gave the Richmond Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Patrol Officer Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Daniel is the only officer of Richmond Police Department remembered here.
Daniel is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 2015, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2015, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 33. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Daniel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Daniel was 33. 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. Daniel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Richmond Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 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 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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