Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hate that we have to lose brave members of the force like him, may his soul rest in peace and ease.

Chase

September 25, 2024

R.I.P my Brother

Senior Trooper
TX DPS

August 19, 2023

Driving to a family reunion to be on Sunday, this Memorial Day Weekend (2023) and saw Va. Trooper Ricky M McCoy name on sign for the memorial bridge. Have not driven on this part of I-81. Looked up his story and found this site. Our hearts ache for his grieving family, friends, and colleagues. We ask GOD Almighty to grant Trooper McCoy a peaceful rest until the Day of Resurrection; comfort, some peace, and hope for his family, and justice and mercy for us all.
Proverbs (King Solomon)
28:1. The wicked[evil] flee when no one pursues;
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
most sincerely,
The Welke and Flynn Families

Civilian Diane Flynn; WinchesterVa
Civilian

May 25, 2023

Such a horrific crime spree. Condolences to the families of the victims.

Bruce
Traveler I-81

April 6, 2023

I am sorry . A horrible situation . God bless Trooper McCoy , the hostages May God give them eternal peace and comfort

Jorge Ortega
Traveler on I-81

February 7, 2023

My husband and I were northbound on I81 near Salem, VA when we saw your memorial sign. You and your family were remembered today, Trooper McCoy. I pray your family has found peace.

Tina L Holtz
Chautauqua Co. Sheriff's Office (Ret.)

William A Makuch
NYSDOCCS (Ret.)

Tina L Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office

September 24, 2022

Traveling south on I-81 & passed the Trpr Ricky McCoy Memorial Bridge today, 6/8/2021. This really 'hit home' with me, first because my name is also RICHARD (RICKY) McCOY, and because I was in Law Enforcement in NY for 28 yrs & I've since been blessed to enjoy 20 years of retirement this October, something these 2 low-lifes took away from you. God bless your service, sacrifice, & your family's sacrifice. RIP my fellow Brother in Blue.

Lieutenant Retired Richard McCoy
Johnson City, NY PD

June 8, 2021

I didn’t know you Ricky McCoy, but I drove past your highway stretch for the first time today and took note of your name.
I was saddened to learn of the tragedy of your death, but was more affected by how your memory lives on and how many people you affected with your time on this earth.
You must have been a truly wonderful person, and I will remember you from now on and the sacrifice you made in pursuit of making the world a better place. Thank you.

Max Eff

April 9, 2021

I had the privilege of working with Ricky when I was with Salem P.D. Truly the best of what the VSP is. Equal parts personable and professional. I was with Va. Beach at the time of his murder and consider it a privilege to be allowed to have the entire VBPD Motor Unit attend his service and escort he and his family.

Sgt (Ret) Thomas Hayden
Salem P.D./Virginia Beach Police Dept.

January 3, 2021

The date of your passing is coming up soon. I can not believe it will be 35 years. I never got to meet you. I have texted a member of your family. They never met you and either but what I can gather they are very proud of you. I always remember you each year on January 3rd. It's my birthday. I still have the bracelet I bought from this site with your name and info on it.
My Dad lived not far from where the lady was kidnapped. That is why your death touches home with me. All these years I have been signing your page. I don't think I ever mentioned that.
I know I'm a little early. I was on this page and wanted to say I am thinking of you.

Rhonda Wickline
Security Officer
Carilion Clinic

December 28, 2020

It has been 34 years now since Trooper Ricky McCoy was tragically murdered while making what he thought was a routine traffic stop. I just now found this
site!
Ricky was my first cousin and we both had brothers and sisters much older so we ended up playing together- in the creek we built damns to cross with lots of rocks. Then we built what we called
“tents” or houses so we could play games and eat our pbj’s or bologna sandwiches!
There were so many other ways we played together as we grew up. Little did we know life would change so much for him.
Ricky was one of the kindest people you would ever meet. We talked about living in our parents’ houses when they were gone and when we married and had children they would play together like we had.
He told me of his dream of being a State Trooper- he was a rather small guy and the family wondered if he could pass the physical requirements for the job- but he did!
The last time I saw Ricky was on July 20, 1985 when he came to my wedding.
My husband and I had gone to his and Jenny’s wedding the previous Spring.
It was so heart-wrenching to learn the morning of January 3, 1986 that Ricky had been killed. I think his death affected me more than almost any other death I have had in my family. He was only 29 and so much my little brother. I will never forget him or the tragic circumstances that took him away from his family. His parents grieved so long and so hard.
I feel he embodied the best a trooper could possibly be- kind, honest, dedicated and a friend to all. God rest his soul.

Kathy Folger
Cousin

August 16, 2020

I never got to meet you. But I will always remember you. I have met some people that knew you back in the days.
You were killed on my birthday. I remember you on that day, every year. Now I have a memorial bracelet that I bought from ODMP. This has your name and EOW date on it. I feel like you are with me all the time now.

Rhonda Wickline
Security Officer
Carilion Clinic

January 11, 2019

I think of you every year on this day. You were taken from this world on my birthday. Even though I didn't know you, you are one of my hero's. My Dad was livng just off that interstate. We also studies this case when I was on college. Rest in Peace Trooper McCoy.

Officer Rhonda Wickline
Carilion Clinicc

January 4, 2017

I never had the honor of meeting Ricky, but my Mother always speaks highly of my cousin and what a genuine and goodhearted person he was to every single person he came in contact with.

Thank you Ricky for your sacrifice, for the honor you brought our family, and for your dedication to help those in need. You are the reason I am pursuing my own career as a Virginia State Trooper.

Rest In Peace, Cousin.

Zack Folger
Cousin

August 19, 2016

Rick was my cousin and I remember so much about him growing up. We would visit from OH every summer or they would come to our house. I can still see him sitting at his Mother's organ and singing or playing in the creek outside his house. We scared up some skunks one summer and smelled terrific for a few days! I was surprised when I looked up his name and found this web site. How wonderful that he is remembered in this way. He was a wonderful, caring human being and I know that he is smiling down on his family. A lot of time has passed since then, but I still pull out the old pictures of us together. He was a great friend and an amazing man for the short time he blessed us in this world.

Rose (Marquette) Rollins
Cousin

February 12, 2015

I can not believe it will be 28 years that you left this world. I still think of you often and always on my birthday January 3rd. I will never forget that day. My Dad lived in a duplex just right down the road from where the family was broken into. Every time I see a car on the interstate with their high beams on, I think of the suspects that drew attention to themselves because they also were riding with their high beams on. Truck drivers called to complain about them. Still today I do this. And it makes me think of you. Rest in Peace Trooper McCoy.

Rhonda Wickline
Security Officer
Carilion Clinic

December 30, 2013

I was driving on I-81 this past weekend and saw the bridge named in your honor. It made me look up your bravery and ultimate sacrifice. You lived your life as a hero. May you rest in peace Brother

Det Brendan Quigley (ret)
NYPD

December 17, 2013

Hearing about the tragic loss of Master Trooper J.A. Walker yesterday takes me back to a painful memory for my family and I. I remember the early morning call to my house and my parents rushing out the door to be with my sister at the hospital, just like it was yesterday. Love your family and those close to you....life is truly fragile! God bless all of you who risk your lives everyday for me and my family. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13). Miss you Rick!!

John Obenshain
Brother-in-law

March 8, 2013

In Memory of Trooper McCoy, I remember him every year on January 3rd. That is my birthday. I can not believe it has been 27 years since he left us. You will never be forgotten Trooper McCoy.

Rhonda Wickline
Security Officer
Carilion Clinic

January 10, 2013

Today, "A" Shift dedicates our tour of duty to you brother. R.I.P., we have the watch.

Never forgotten.

Sgt. J.L. Slaughter
Radford Police Department

January 3, 2013

I went thru the State Police Academy with Ricky. He was a great guy to be around as well as an outstanding Trooper. He was taken way too soon. RIP my friend.

Senior Trooper Jeff Brown
Virginia State police

September 13, 2012

Ricky McCoy was my second cousin (his dad and my grandmother were siblings and lived next door to each other - well as "next door as it gets in the hills of VA!) He was the sweetest person. Our whole entire family still feels his loss every single day!

Carrie Stoner-Sharp
Cousin

July 20, 2012

I remember this day like it was yesterday. And I think of him every year because he was killed on my birthday. Whenever I go down the interstate, I see the sign with his name on it. I also learn about this case when I was in college. We talked about it and looked at pictures of the van the suspects were driving. At the time my Dad lived very close to where this happened. If those guys had decided to run a little further down the road, it could have been him they had killed. I have added Trooper McCoy to my hero list. To me he is a huge HERO!!

Rhonda Wickline
Security Officer
Carilion Clinic

July 13, 2012

When I was a student at Radford University, majoring in criminal justice, Trooper Ricky McCoy was killed in the line of duty. For some reason his name has always stuck with me over the years of being a police officer, military police officer, and now criminal justice professor. Recently, when visiting the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial, it was his name my daughter and I etched onto a piece of paper. Trooper McCoy is remembered and will not be forgotten

Dr. Willard M. Oliver
Sam Houston State University

February 14, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 3, 2012