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Incident
Assistant Chief of Police Elmo Ritchie suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to place a 13-year-old mental subject in protective custody.
He collapsed after the subject began to resist arrest.
Assistant Chief Ritchie had served with the Fayetteville Police Department for 19 years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 30 years. He had previously served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and as the sheriff of Madison County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, and fiving siblings.
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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Assistant Chief of Police Ritchie gave the Fayetteville Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Ritchie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Fayetteville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Elmo is one of 13 officers lost to cardiac events in AR, 3.5% of the 372 remembered there.
Elmo is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elmo 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 1968, 1 officer in AR was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 2013, with 2.
In 1968, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1968, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Elmo was 61. Of the 12 lost to cardiac events in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 62.8; the middle age was 58. Elmo had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Elmo was 61. 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. Elmo had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Elmo was 61. 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. Elmo had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 7.7% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 30.8%. Wednesdays: 38.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Fayetteville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.5% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 15.4% 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 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Fayetteville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Elmo among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fayetteville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
