On the night of April 5, 1986, Officer Gordon Joseph Rich, aged 45, was fatally shot with his own weapon while conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Columbus, Ohio. Officer Rich, a Caucasian male, had been with the Columbus Division of Police for 23 years and was well-respected in his community. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m.
when Officer Rich had placed two men in the back seat of his cruiser, unaware that they had just committed a robbery.
One of the suspects, 25-year-old James Lumpkin Rattler, managed to gain control of Officer Rich's handgun and shot him multiple times, including twice in the head. Despite his attempts to call for help on his police radio, Officer Rich was unable to speak. A witness to the shooting followed the suspects and later provided crucial information that led to their apprehension.
James Lumpkin Rattler was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to 33 years to life in prison. He was denied parole in February 2019, and his next parole hearing is scheduled for February 1, 2029. The other suspect involved in the incident was sentenced to a year in prison for obstructing justice.
Officer Rich's death was a tragic event that deeply affected his family and the community. He is survived by his wife, two children, and two stepchildren. His legacy is honored by the Columbus Division of Police and remembered by those who knew him.
The case remains a somber reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily and the ultimate sacrifice some make in the line of duty.
