Mexia Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Monday, August 2, 1993
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 308
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 2, 1993
Weapon Used: Handgun; .380 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Ricky Ward was shot and killed while chasing a suspected shoplifter.
During the chase the suspect dropped a match box. Believing it contained narcotics, Patrolman Ward stopped to pick it up as evidence. The suspect's cousin was hiding in some bushes next to where Patrolman Ward was and opened fire with a .380 caliber automatic pistol. One round struck Patrolman Ward in the side, passing in-between the panels of his vest, and penetrated his aorta.
Patrolman Ward was transported to a local hospital where he died approximately two hours later. The shoplifting suspect was never charged in Patrolman Ward's murder, however; the shooting suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Patrolman Ward had been employed with the Mexia Police Departmentfor two years.