Bio & Incident Details
Age: 32
Tour: 10 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 1/7/1979
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Sentenced to life
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Deputy Rybka was shot and killed by a wounded prisoner he was guarding at Bergen Pines County Hospital. The suspect was able to overpower Deputy Rybka at 0308 hours and gain control of his service weapon. He then fired four shots at Deputy Rybka, striking him three times. The suspect fled the hospital but was arrested approximately 30 minutes later, still holding Deputy Rybka's service weapon. The suspect was in the hospital because he had been wounded during a shootout with two Teaneck detectives four days earlier.
The 22 year-old suspect had a very lengthy criminal record which included a dozen convictions for assault, larceny, forgery, breaking and entering, fraud, illegal weapons possession, and receiving stolen property. He was convicted of Deputy Rybka's murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in August of 2010.
Deputy Rybka was normally assigned to Courthouse Security. He was survived by his wife and son.
