Detective Ricky Joe Childers

Detective Ricky Joe Childers

Tampa Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, May 19, 1998

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Ricky Joe Childers

Detective Ricky Childers and Detective Randy Bell were shot and killed transporting a suspect to the police station for questioning.

The suspect had earlier shot his girlfriend's 3-year-old child in the face with a rifle and took the child to a fire station. As Detective Bell and Detective Childers were transporting the suspect, he was able to free one of his hands from the handcuffs using a hidden key as the car approached I-275 on Floribraska Avenue.

He then reached into the front seat and gained control of one of the detectives' weapons. He shot and killed the driver as he sat in the front seat and the passenger as he was climbing over the back seat in an attempt to get the gun from the suspect. The suspect then obtained his rifle from the trunk of the car and car-jacked another vehicle. He led police on a chase where he shot and killed Florida State Trooper James B. Crooks.

The suspect committed suicide after a standoff at a local gas station.

Detective Childers had served with the Tampa Police Department for 18 years. He is survived by his two children.

Bio

  • Age 46
  • Tour 18 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Committed suicide

murder suspect, transport

Most Recent Reflection

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I was shocked and dismayed when I learned about Ricky's murder. Ricky and I were best friends growing up in Plant City in the '60's. His Mom fed me lunch almost every day in the summer time because my Mom worked at Feltons on Hwy 92 .
We got into so much normal kid trouble between 2nd and 8th grade. He was a true friend.
I only found out about him when I was looking him up in preparation for a trip from my new home in Louisiana to Plant City to visit my Dad's grave.

Jim Stinson MMCS/SS
USN

September 28, 2023

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