Officer Down Memorial Page

ODMP Remembers...

United States > Georgia > Fulton County Sheriff's Office > Deputy Sheriff Ricky Leon Kinchen

Deputy Sheriff

Ricky Leon Kinchen

Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

End of Watch: Friday, March 17, 2000

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 35

Tour: 9 years

Badge # 1008

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 3/16/2000

Weapon: Rifle; .223 caliber

Offender: Sentenced to life

· Leave a Reflection
· Add to My Heroes
· Update this memorial

Share this memorial:

Deputy Ricky Kinchen died from gunshot wounds he received the night before while he and another deputy were attempting to serve a warrant.

The deputy and his partner, went to the suspect's work place to serve the warrant. After failing to locate anyone at the business, they drove around the block and located a vehicle. While approaching the vehicle, the deputies told an individual standing next to it to show them his hands. At that time, the suspect responded by saying "Here they are," and opened fire with a .223 caliber rifle, striking both deputies several times. Deputy Kinchen was struck in the abdomen and leg and was transported to a local hospital, where he died the next day. Deputy Kinchen was wearing a vest, however, the round struck him in an area not protected by the vest.

The second deputy was struck several times and was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. The killer was originally wanted for several charges, including impersonating a police officer. The killer was a former member of the Black Panthers, a radical, militant group, with a long criminal record, including inciting a riot. He fled the scene after the shooting but was arrested several days later in Alabama. The deputies were unaware of the suspect's background.

On March 9, 2002, the killer was found guilty of 13 charges, including the murder of a police officer, in connection with Deputy Kinchen's murder. On March 13, 2002, the killer was sentenced to life without parole.
Deputy Kinchen had been employed with the Fulton County Sheriff's Department for nine years, and is survived by his wife and two young children. He is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton, Georgia.

The Black Panthers is a racist, radical group that professed the murders of law enforcement officers. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of at least 15 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation.

Leave a Reflection · Update Memorial

Related Line of Duty Deaths

		Police Officer John F. Frey Oakland Police Department, California End of Watch: Saturday, October 28, 1967 Cause: Gunfire
		Officer Thomas E. Johnson Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee End of Watch: Tuesday, January 16, 1968 Cause: Gunfire
		Officer Charles W. Thomasson Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee End of Watch: Sunday, March 17, 1968 Cause: Gunfire
		Officer Nelson K. Sasscer Santa Ana Police Department, California End of Watch: Thursday, June 5, 1969 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman Frank G. Rappaport Chicago Police Department, Illinois End of Watch: Thursday, November 13, 1969 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman John J. Gilhooly Chicago Police Department, Illinois End of Watch: Friday, November 14, 1969 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer James T. Sackett, Sr. St. Paul Police Department, Minnesota End of Watch: Friday, May 22, 1970 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman William A. Miscannon Toledo Police Department, Ohio End of Watch: Friday, September 18, 1970 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Glenn E. Smith Detroit Police Department, Michigan End of Watch: Saturday, October 24, 1970 Cause: Gunfire
		Corrections Sergeant Brent Miller Louisiana Department of Corrections, Louisiana End of Watch: Monday, April 17, 1972 Cause: Stabbed
		Cadet Alfred E. Harrell New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Sunday, December 31, 1972 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman Paul A. Persigo New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Sunday, January 7, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman Philip J. Coleman, Sr. New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Sunday, January 7, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Deputy Superintendent Louis Joseph Sirgo New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Sunday, January 7, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Sergeant Edwin C. Hosli, Sr. New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana End of Watch: Monday, March 5, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Park Ranger Kenneth Carmel Patrick United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government End of Watch: Sunday, August 5, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Daniel J. Faulkner Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania End of Watch: Wednesday, December 9, 1981 Cause: Gunfire
		Lieutenant Ted Cephus Elmore Catawba County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina End of Watch: Wednesday, April 27, 1983 Cause: Gunfire

View all 72 Reflections

Most Recent Reflection