A huge downer today,

[contender]

Folks,, we are all seeing the horrors of the devastating fires out west.
Throw in the rioting & unrest in so many places.

Then,, this morning,, about 3 am, a local LEO was shot in the head when he responded to a 911 call about a homeowner having a shootout with a scumbag. Three deputies responded, and upon talking with the homeowner,, and doing a search, found scumbag suspect across the street. At first he seemed to comply, then suddenly pulled a gun & shot the first officer in the head. The 2 other officers immediately returned fire, and killed the scum.
The officer that was shot was immediately given medical treatment, and taken to the nearby hospital. He was in a fight for his life.

My day started when Miss Penny found this out on FB about 6:30 am.
See,,, this local officer works in the same dept as my son.
My son is on call this week. Miss Penny got scared real quick, and got me up. I calmed her with the knowledge that if my son had been shot,, we'd already have been notified. And to show her,, we texted him. He was fine, on the scene, and working the case.

All day,,, we have prayed, watched for news & updates. Mental stress as I had met this officer,, and he's a FINE young man.

The officer that was shot,, Ryan Hendrick.
A former Marine.
SWAT member.
Training officer.
8 yr veteran of the dept.
Has 2 young kids.
Engaged to be married next month.

We found out just before 6 pm that Ryan passed away from his gunshot wound.
God has another warrior in Heaven.

Pray for his family & kids.

[JM]

I have no words.

[z1r]

Awful news. I'm glad your son is ok but saddened for the family and friends of the fallen officer!

[coltfan]

God Bless you, your wife, your son and the entire department. I’ve been an LEO for 28 years and stories like this never get easier to take...understand...or come back to work the next day as the same cop I was the day before much less when I started in 1992. Never mind the effects on the family of the fallen officer and everyone around him. But the coworkers and their families. Ugh. I can’t even put words together right.

I’m sick typing this.

My prayers are with you.

[nolongcolt]

So sad, and maddening at the same time! It happens far too often and it must stop! Condolences.

[nolongcolt]

www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/9602-deputy-in-a-fight-for-his-life-after-gunfire-exchange-that-killed-suspect.html

I hope you don't mind my linking the story here. I like to put a face to the name.

[smirker]

Contender, I am sorry for the tragety that has struck the citizens of North Carolina and your sons agency in particular. As a career LEO I know how your son feels having been thru this several times. Thoughts and prayers are with your son and his co-workers as they struggle to move forward from this incident.

[hunter966]

So sorry to hear about this. Hope your son stays safe too.

[Deleted]

Wow, no words. Prayers for Ryan's family, especially his young children. I can't even imagine their grief. Absolute anger at the enemies within our nation that promote an atmosphere of lawlessness that contributes to the frequency of incidents like this.

[45MAN]

I MOURN THE DEATH OF THE LEO BUT AM VERY GLAD THE SCUMBAG IS DEAD.

[Ken O'Neill]

I saw Dan Forest's message on this murder. This just seems to get worse and worse.

[contender]

nolongcolt, thanks for posting the link. I don't know how to link stuff.


Folks,, many thanks for the thoughts, prayers & kind words. It has hit this small community pretty hard.

To all the current LEO's who have posted. I thank you for serving as well. I'll share something I tell my son often, and every officer I speak with as we part. "Go home safely every night!"

RIP Deputy Ryan Hendrix. End of Watch, Sept. 10, 2020.


Here is a post from Fb, that a friend, the man who sponsored my son & hired him, former Sheriff George Erwin last night.

·

STATEMENT FROM FORMER HENDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF GEORGE ERWIN ON THE DEATH OF DEPUTY HENDRIX

I am doing my best to keep my composure, but tears are streaming down my face as I write this, Deputy Ryan Hendrix never served with me when I was the Sheriff of Henderson County and from what I have heard about this extraordinary young man that is my loss. I have watched and monitored the news, riots, devastation to communities, loss of live, defund the police, assaults on police and even death. I am thoroughly disgusted that this is happening in the country that I love, served and would die for.

The hate, vitriol; and violence is intolerable and so called leaders are a disgrace to allow this abomination to occur. The violence and hate directed at our young men and women in law enforcement is beyond comprehension. These young men and women are your neighbors for crying out loud. They go to the same grocery stores, same churches, live in your neighborhoods, children attend the same schools. They have the same challenges in life that we all have. They have been called to service. Thank them don't belittle them, accuse them of racism, sexism, antisemitism and being Nazi's or right wing zealots. They attended your public schools and have the same hopes and dreams of your children, brothers, sisters or friends. They definitely do not do it for the money or glamour. There usually is little recognition for their sacrifice, determination, commitment or perseverance to keep communities safe. They sure are easy to criticize though.

The senseless killing of Deputy Ryan Hendrix needs to mean something and his sacrifice needs to count for something. His children, family, friends and co-workers need to know that Ryan's life mattered just as every living human beings life matters.

I cannot help but believe that the anti-law enforcement, defund the police movement in this country has given those with bad intentions the green light to go after law enforcement and they will not be held accountable. This is not acceptable to me or people that live in a civil society. If good people do nothing, evil will prevail. I for one and those that truly know me, know that I mean what I say and say what I mean. Not on my watch! I have had enough, have you? Ryan Hendrix needs to be emblazoned in all of our minds! Ryan did what he loved, he served his country and his community. Make his life mean something to the rest of us.

"Changes can come from the power of many, but only when the many come together to form that which is invincible - The Power of One" - The movie The Power of One. If we all come together regardless of color, race, background or ethnicity we can make the changes for the better for all. Sadly communication is this issue in the world. We hear the other side but are we truly listening. It is my fervent hope that sensible people can come to reasonable solutions.

We can start the movement right here in these beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Stand up, be counted, make a difference in the name of Ryan Hendrix - Henderson County Deputy Sheriff.

If I have offended you, no apology this is just my feelings and sentiments and I respect yours. We may not agree but we can be civil in our disagreements.

God Bless you Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix! Your legacy will live on in your two precious children and those that were blessed to know you. Thank you for your faithful service and in the presence of God.

[jimtx]

Prayers sent

[zac0419]

My thoughts are for all involved, including the ones that shot the murderer. Taking a life, even a scumbag, is a difficult thing to recon with I’m sure. I hope I never have to find out.

[lobo]

Words fail me. All I can say is that prayers have been sent, and more will be on the way.