rickcoyle

Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Ricky Dale Coyle
Greene County Sheriff's Department

End of Watch:
September 25, 1995
Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 17 years

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, September 25, 1995
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sergeant Ricky Coyle was shot and killed while investigating a hit and run in a remote area when he radioed in that he needed an ambulance. An off duty officer who responded found Sergeant Coyle slumped over his steering wheel and discovered that he had been shot three times.

One shot was stopped by his vest, one entered below his vest, and a third entered through the side, rupturing his spleen. Other arriving units found the body of the suspect about 30 yards away and he had been shot five times. The investigation revealed that the two men were standing within a few feet of each other when the gunfire took place. The suspect was later found to be a fugitive from Alabama for committing arson and other felonies.

Sergeant Coyle was a US Air Force veteran. He had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Department for 16 years and had previously served one year with the Northern Illinois University Police Department. He is survived by his mother and sister. His badge number was retired from the Sheriff's Department in honor of his sacrifice