Investigator Michael W. Ridges

Investigator Michael W. Ridges

Cook County Sheriff's Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Thursday, October 17, 1985

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Michael W. Ridges

Investigator Michael Ridges was shot and killed after stopping three suspects who fitted the description of men committing vandalism to a local home.

As Investigator Ridges was reviewing a series of vandalism incidents that occurred around a Prospect Heights home he noticed a car with three men inside who closely matched the physical descriptions of the offenders in the case. Investigator Ridges called in a description of the vehicle and then stopped it. Once stopped, all three men exited the car and while Investigator Ridges was checking their identities, one man drew a concealed gun and shot Investigator Ridges once in the head and once in the hand, fatally wounding him.

The suspects were caught a short time later based on Investigator Ridges' original radio description, along with a description provided by a citizen who witnessed the incident. It was later revealed through a police investigation that the three men were en route to commit a contract murder at the Prospect Heights home where Investigator Ridges was investigating the vandalism incidents.

One of the suspects was sentenced to life in prison and a second was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Investigator Ridges had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge 380

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Sentenced to life

suspicious person, vehicle stop

Most Recent Reflection

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Mike, never forget you, your mentoring, I made 25 years on. RIP forever friend.

S.C. DE MARIA
FRIEND

October 17, 2023

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