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William R. Ricketts
Incident
Interim Chief of Police William Ricketts was killed in a car crash on Struthers Road in Poland Township while he was taking papers to the courthouse. Chief Ricketts had served as the interim chief of the New Middletown Police Department for 6 months and served with the department for 25 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, and eight grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Interim Police Chief Ricketts gave the New Middletown Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New Middletown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Interim Police Chief Ricketts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of New Middletown Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer in OH was lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1997, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1997, 85 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 55. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 55. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at New Middletown Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from New Middletown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.