Remembering Greene County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Rick Coyle

It was 30 years ago on this date that Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sgt. Rick Coyle was shot to death after what started out as a simple hit and run.  News Director Bobby Rader has the story.

CLICK BELOW FOR THE RICK COYLE TRIBUTE STORY FOR SEPTEMBER 25

When you begin to write a story about someone like Rick Coyle, you find out very quickly you can’t put all co-workers said in a short radio news story, so you do your best to hit the highlights, and there were many in his 41 years, then invite folks to check out the story online at wgrv.com for full interviews from those I was able to speak with.  They are all listed below.  You’ll laugh a little, cry a little, hold your breath a few times, and then of course you’ll laugh again, because that’s the way Rick would have wanted it.  I’m Bobby Rader, Radio Greeneville News

FULL INTERVIEWS LISTED BELOW

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Charles Morelock – There’s an obvious reason his license plate number says what it does

Angie Weems – I was one of the new ones, but Rick was always encouraging

Chief Deputy Ronnie Dixon – Rick could arrest you one minute, be your friend the next 

Chief Deputy Ronnie Dixon – Domestic assault victim “I called for a deputy, not a…………..”

Ronnie Dixon – Rick’s biggest problem……..

Detective John Huffine on his time with Rick 

Lori Rader was dispatching when Rick was shot and discusses that night

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The following were found listed on websites honoring fallen officers.

Others who have been listed as Fallen Officers include:
• State Trooper Eugene Brakebill, who died Oct. 9, 1966;
• GPD Officer Linden Bullington, who died Oct. 16, 1990;
• Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff Robert J. “Bobby” Desormeaux, who died July 11, 1994;
• Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff William Guy Ward, who died July 11, 1994;
• Deputy Sheriff Charles Edward “Eddie” Baskette Jr., who died March 23, 1998;
• U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Stephen A. Bowman, who died June 24, 1998;
• Deputy Sheriff David H. Rader, who died March 17, 2003; and
• Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Kristi K. Irwin, who died April 10, 2009.

FROM OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL PAGE

Sergeant Ricky Dale Coyle, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee

Ricky Dale Coyle

Sergeant Ricky Coyle was shot and killed while investigating a hit-and-run in a remote area of the county on Stagecoach Road in Greeneville.

During the investigation, he radioed in that he needed an ambulance. An off-duty officer who responded to the scene found Sergeant Coyle slumped over his steering wheel and discovered that he had been shot three times.

One shot was stopped by his vest, one entered below his vest, and a third entered through the side, rupturing his spleen. Other arriving units found the body of the suspect approximately 30 yards away, suffering from five gunshot wounds. The investigation revealed that the two men were standing within a few feet of each other when they exchanged shots. The suspect was later found to be a fugitive from Alabama who was wanted for arson and other felonies.

Sergeant Coyle was a U.S. Air Force veteran who had served with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department for 16 years and had previously served one year with the Northern Illinois University Police Department. He was survived by his mother and sister.