The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office has announced with heavy hearts the passing of Deputy Rick Coyle, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Authorities said Deputy Coyle passed away Thursday morning at his home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous weeks-long battle for his life.
On the evening of April 2, Kentucky State Police said Deputy Coyle, alongside staff from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, arrived at a residence in the 3800 block on KY-365 near Sturgis to serve emergency guardianship paperwork.
During the encounter, police said gunfire was exchanged with 60-year-old Ronnie Phillips, and Deputy Coyle was struck and critically injured, while the suspect was fatally wounded. Authorities said a female victim at the scene was safely removed. Coyle was airlifted to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, where he remained in critical condition for several weeks before returning home, where he passed away Thursday morning.
Deputy Coyle was a veteran law enforcement officer with a career spanning three decades. He served for two years with the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, primarily as the School Resource Officer for Crittenden County High School. Before moving to Kentucky, he retired from the Chicago Police Department after 28 years of service, where he was a member of the SWAT unit.
Known affectionately by students and staff as “Officer Rick,” Coyle was a beloved figure in the school system. In the days following the shooting, students and faculty wore blue in a massive show of support, a testament to the impact he made in his short time with the district.
Tiffany Blazina, Human Resource and Public Relations Director at Crittenden County Schools, told WPKY’s News Edge that Deputy Coyle and his wife, Jami, had visited the area many times before moving here, thanks to a friendship developed with a Crittenden Countian and then relocated when property became available.
She said safety is one of the school district’s five core values and its top priority. She said the district is where they are with safety, thanks to Officer Coyle. Blazen said his observation and critical thinking skills are unmatched, and he continually looked for ways to improve safety across their district.
According to Blazina, Deputy Coyle focused on both safety and building strong connections with students and staff. She noted he was often seen joining gym activities, doing push-ups with students, or teaching them life skills. She said he encouraged students to respect themselves and others, helping them grow into positive role models.
Crittenden County High School senior Mollie Blazina says Deputy Coyle’s presence always made students feel secure. She shared that there was never a moment she felt unsafe when Deputy Coyle was with them. Tiffany Blazina said that Mollie and her fellow students have deeply felt his absence, and she noted that Coyle was known for his daily support.
Staci Blackburn, secretary at Crittenden County High School, remembers spending much of her day working alongside Officer Coyle in the front office. She told WPKY’s News Edge that his absence has left a tremendous void in the school community. She added, “Be intentional with your relationships in your job,” and “leave it better than you found it, because that’s exactly what Rick did for us.”
Deputy Coyle was a graduate of Brother Rice High School, a Catholic school in Chicago. One of his classmates and longtime friends, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, described him as “a good man, a dedicated law enforcement officer, and someone who has always put others before himself.” Morrison added that this spirit is the mark of a Brother Rice man.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from the public and surrounding law enforcement agencies during this difficult period.
In a written statement, officials said, “He was a beloved member of the Sheriff’s Office… We ask that everyone continue to respect the privacy of Deputy Coyle’s family as they grieve this profound loss.”
The Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Coyle will be laid to rest with full line of duty honors. Authorities say funeral arrangements are currently being finalized and will be released by the department in the coming days.
(WPKY’s Heather Riley contributed to the story)
