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Officer Michael J. Ratikan | Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma

Officer

Michael J. Ratikan

Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch: Monday, June 14, 1971

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 14, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison

Officer Michael Ratikan was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.

During routine questioning, the driver fled on foot. Officer Ratikan caught the driver and began struggling with him as the driver's brother emerged from the car and fired a .25 caliber automatic pistol. Officer Ratikan was struck and died almost instantly. Officer Ratikan's partner returned fire as the occupants fled. The suspect initially escaped, however he was later captured.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on September 30, 1971. He died in prison on August 21, 2014.