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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Thompson was shot and killed in the city of Kittitas following a vehicle pursuit at approximately 7:45 pm.
He had responded to a traffic complaint involving a road rage incident and attempted to stop the involved vehicle. The driver fled along I-90 and exited the interstate into Kittitas, where a city officer joined the pursuit. The vehicle came to a stop in the area of North Pierce Street and 6th Avenue. The driver opened fire on the officers, fatally wounding Deputy Thompson and seriously wounding the Kittitas officer.
The subject was shot and killed in the ensuing shootout.
Deputy Thompson served in law enforcement for 12 years, including time with the Kittitas Sheriff's Office's Correctional Facility and Central Washington University Police before becoming a Kittitas Sheriff's Deputy.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children, his parents, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thompson gave the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ellensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Ryan is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ryan was 42. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Ryan had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ryan was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ryan had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ryan was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ryan had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.9% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ryan among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kittitas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
