Ohio deputy dead after being hit by father of armed teen fatally shot by police day before

Tragedy unfolded near a college commencement Friday when a sheriff’s deputy became the victim of an alleged aggravated murder by a father whose son was fatally shot by police the day before.

(Video Credit: WCPO 9)

While families gathered at the University of Cincinnati Friday to celebrate those who’d earned degrees, an as-yet-unnamed retired deputy from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, directing traffic as a “special deputy,” was struck and killed. Facing charges of aggravated murder, the driver was said to be Rodney Hinton Jr., whose 18-year-old son was fatally shot Thursday as officers responded to a call of a stolen car.

“I knew the man, and I knew what a tremendous, tremendous person he is and what a tremendous loss we have all suffered,” expressed Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, who explained that the deputy had only retired months earlier.

Hinton’s son, Ryan Hinton, had reportedly been shot within seconds of officers arriving on the scene regarding the theft of an SUV registered in Kentucky as the four occupants of the vehicle scattered. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge had said during a press conference that the officers believed the younger Hinton had a firearm when they acted to neutralize the threat.

Though an investigation was ongoing, Hamilton Township Police Chief Scott Hughes asserted on X that the deputy had been murdered, “Not by accident. Not in a moment of chaos. But targeted–ambushed and killed … Instead of taking accountability for his son’s criminal actions, this father chose revenge.”

A Hamilton County Deputy was murdered today.

Not by accident. Not in a moment of chaos. But targeted—ambushed and killed while directing traffic at the University of Cincinnati commencement ceremony.

And here’s what should outrage every decent person:
The driver who hit and… pic.twitter.com/FkTHBl5CFy

— Chief Scott Hughes (@ChiefShughes) May 2, 2025

The deputy had been transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, and a moment of silence had been offered during the commencement ceremony by University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto “to respect this officer.”

“This community … our city and our county, has had two critical incidents in two days. I do have a plea to everybody: Let the processes play out, let the investigations play out. Keep calm, take care of one another and I can assure you as the chief of police for Cincinnati, I will assure you of transparency and a thorough and accurate investigation,” said Theetge as Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said, “if the facts show this act was intentional, as the charge suggests, I will throw the full force of the law at the perpetrator.”

pic.twitter.com/p0AHeL5uJt

— Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich (@Connie_Pillich) May 3, 2025

In his own statement on the tragedy, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) expressed, “Fran and I are saddened to learn about the Hamilton County deputy hit by a vehicle and killed in the line of duty today. I have been briefed on the ongoing investigation and am sickened by what appears to be an intentional act of violence. We offer our sincere condolences to the deputy’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Meanwhile, as two of the other suspected car thieves were arrested and one was reportedly still at large, Hinton made his first appearance in court Saturday, accompanied by dozens of law enforcement officials.

Rodney Hinton, Jr., the man Cincinnati police say hit and killed a deputy Friday, appears in court with more than 30 members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office inside the courtroom. pic.twitter.com/UHzP7qSkYU

— FOX19 NOW (@FOX19) May 3, 2025

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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