Detective Ricky Joe Childers, Tampa Police Department, Florida

Detective Ricky Joe Childers

Tampa Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, May 19, 1998

Add to My Heroes

Ricky Joe Childers

Detective Ricky Childers and Detective Randy Bell were shot and killed transporting a suspect to the police station for questioning.

The suspect had earlier shot his girlfriend's 3-year-old child in the face with a rifle and took the child to a fire station. As Detective Bell and Detective Childers were transporting the suspect, he was able to free one of his hands from the handcuffs using a hidden key as the car approached I-275 on Floribraska Avenue.

He then reached into the front seat and gained control of one of the detectives' weapons. He shot and killed the driver as he sat in the front seat and the passenger as he was climbing over the back seat in an attempt to get the gun from the suspect. The suspect then obtained his rifle from the trunk of the car and car-jacked another vehicle. He led police on a chase where he shot and killed Florida State Trooper James B. Crooks.

The suspect committed suicide after a standoff at a local gas station.

Detective Childers had served with the Tampa Police Department for 18 years. He is survived by his two children.

Bio

Age 46
Tour 18 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Committed suicide

murder suspect, transport

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 51 Reflections

We all loved him so. When we were on shift together it was quiet and safe. He always had your back making a tough job seem effortless. I think of him everyday and tell others his story. Rick will live on and on as long as I can share his story. I can rememner his laughter and his smile as if he were here today.
Oh God the stories we shared about work and the nick names thestaff gave us.

CCW II Kathy Jo Dickson
Hillsborough County Regional Detenrion Center Sefner then Tampa

April 30, 2024