Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ricky Anderson suffered a fatal heart attack while preparing equipment to respond to a call involving approximately 12 cows that were running loose in a neighborhood.
Deputy Anderson had been called in early to assist at the scene. He began to feel ill and returned home, where he collapsed. He was transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center where he passed away a short time later.
Deputy Anderson had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for eight years and was assigned to the Agricultural Crimes Unit. He had previously served with the Fort Meade Police Department for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, son, twin daughters, mother, and sister. His son also serves as a sheriff's deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, twin daughters, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnyvezaxma756s1e3f38- Stewardship
- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Anderson gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Anderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Polk County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Ricky is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Ricky is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ricky is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 2 officers in FL were lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 2016, 17 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2016, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ricky was 50. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. Ricky had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Ricky was 50. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ricky had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ricky was 50. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ricky had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 6.5% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Sundays: 16.1%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 5.6% of all 18 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Ricky among them.
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Oliver Thomas Smith Jan 16, 1922
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J. Edward Harrelson
Dec 21, 1926
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Frank Dixon Sep 22, 1932
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Leon Alexander Bernard
Apr 9, 1963
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Paul Andrew Powell
May 26, 1967
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Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr.
Mar 3, 1974
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Theron Anthony Burnham
Jan 9, 1981
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Waymon Dee Allen
Mar 15, 1987
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David Michael Goddard
Feb 2, 1989
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Larry Willis Rhoden
Oct 22, 2001
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Gene Brian Wilkinson
Oct 22, 2001
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Vernon Matthew Williams
Sep 28, 2006
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Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Sep 8, 2009
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Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr.
Dec 12, 2010
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Joseph Robbins
Apr 26, 2013
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Ricky Carlton Anderson
Feb 21, 2016
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Christopher Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021
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Blane Lane
Oct 4, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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