Hero Down: Newport News Officer Kevin Ryder Succumbs To Injuries
Newport News Police Officer Kevin Ryder died.
Newport News Police Department Officer Kevin Ryder Dies
Newport News, VA – The Newport News Police Department is mourning the loss of veteran officer Kevin Ryder after he succumbed to injuries sustained in an off-duty vehicle crash. Officer Ryder passed away on April 1, 2017.
According to the Newport News Police Department, Officer Ryder sustained injuries during an off-duty crash in March and sustained injuries which were originally critical but believed to be non-life-threatening. Police spokesperson, Jamie Bastas, said they were “not at liberty to discuss the specifics regarding the incident,” but it is now believed that those injuries ultimately led to officer Ryder’s passing on Saturday.
Ryder was known as a “gentle giant” among fellow officer at the Newport News Police Department, where he served for nearly 22 years. He joined the department on July 1, 1995, according to the Virginia Pilot.
Ryder was also known as a firearms expert who was “always willing to offer assistance and knowledge to others,” said Police Chief Richard Myers.
“Kevin was approachable, and had a calm demeanor that removed the natural anxiety that could arise from his large physical stature,” Chief Myers said. “He is going to be missed by his peers very much, and we want his family to know that we’re mourning with them over his loss.”
In a Facebook post from the Newport News Police Department, they said:
NNPD MOURNS THE LOSS OF MPO KEVIN RYDER:
It is with a heavy heart that the Newport News Police Department announces the death and mourns the loss of our brother, friend and colleague Master Police Officer Kevin Ryder. MPO Ryder joined the Newport News Police Department on July 1, 1995 and served for 21 years and 9 months as a patrol officer and field training officer.
In early March 2017, MPO Ryder was involved in an off-duty accident and was taken to the hospital with injuries that were serious, but considered non-life threatening at the time. After a courageous fight, MPO Ryder succumbed to injuries he sustained in the accident and passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017.
He is remembered by those who knew him as a gentle giant…A big man, with an even bigger heart. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or to listen when someone just needed to talk. His brothers and sisters in blue held a special place in his heart and he always had their back. MPO Ryder was a wonderful police officer and friend to many and will be greatly missed.
“Officer Ryder’s untimely passing has saddened the entire family of the NNPD. He was widely known as subject matter expert on firearms within our agency and beyond, and was always willing to offer assistance and knowledge to others. Kevin was approachable, and had a calm demeanor that removed the natural anxiety that could arise from his large physical stature. He is going to be missed by his peers very much, and we want his family to know that we’re mourning with them over his loss,” Newport News Police Chief Richard Myers.
We ask that you please keep the Ryder family, Kevin’s friends and our officers in your thoughts in the days and weeks to come.
Plans for a memorial service are being finalized and we will announce those when appropriate.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ryder family both blood and blue during this time.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Feel free to leave a message for this fallen hero in the comments.
