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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Ryan suffered a fatal heart attack after being involved in a short foot pursuit in the parking lot of the Main Jail at 5555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale on December 15th, 2017.
The subject had attempted to bring a knife into the jail while visiting an inmate. He was told to take the knife to his vehicle. As Deputy Ryan escorted the man outside the man ran, with Deputy Ryan in pursuit. Deputy Ryan collapsed and was transported to Broward Health Medical Center where he remained until passing away on December 31st, 2017.
Deputy Ryan had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for just under 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three stepsons, and three brothers.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Ryan gave the Broward County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Broward County Sheriff's Office has lost 24 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Michael is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 4 officers in FL were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2017, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Michael was 58. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. Michael had served 13.9 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Michael was 58. 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. Michael had served 13.9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Michael was 58. 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. Michael had served 13.9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Sundays: 16.1%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 4.2% of all 24 deaths at Broward County Sheriff's Office, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 12.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Broward County Sheriff's Office has 24 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Arthur Fillebrown
Aug 26, 1957
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James Edgar Hillberry
Dec 4, 1964
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Robert Hugh Milligan
Aug 12, 1978
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Joseph Vincent Conte
Jul 11, 1979
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Worth Edwards
Mar 15, 1980
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Tony Yanniello
Oct 18, 1984
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John W. Greeney, III
Feb 17, 1990
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Patrick Kelly Behan
Nov 13, 1990
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Michael J. Metroka
Dec 15, 1997
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Michael Christopher Doane
Dec 24, 1999
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Philip Guy Billings
Apr 6, 2003
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Todd Michael Fatta
Aug 19, 2004
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Ryan Christopher Seguin
Feb 15, 2006
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Brian Keith Tephford
Nov 12, 2006
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Christopher Reyka
Aug 10, 2007
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Paul Rein
Nov 7, 2007
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Christopher Allen Schaub
Sep 26, 2012
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Daniel Rivera
Sep 21, 2013
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Michael David Ryan
Dec 31, 2017
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Benjamin Ryan Nimtz
Jul 21, 2019
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Matthew Michael Griffith
Nov 29, 2019
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Shannon Santo Bennett
Apr 3, 2020
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Aldemar Rengifo, Jr.
Aug 16, 2020
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Shane Troy Owens
Mar 27, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Broward County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
