Police Officer Ronald Ryan was shot and killed at approximately 7:00 am after approaching a car with a man sleeping in it.

As Officer Ryan was returning to his patrol car to check the suspect’s identification he was shot from behind. The suspect then took Officer Ryan’s gun and shot him several more times. He succumbed to his wounds in surgery later that day. The suspect later ambushed and killed Officer Tim Jones and his canine, Laser.

The subject plead guilty to murdering both Officer Ryan and Officer Jones was sentenced to life without parole.

Officer Ryan had served with the St. Paul Police Department for 19 months and was survived by his wife and parents. Only five months earlier, Officer Ryan was awarded the Medal of Merit for rescuing three children from a house fire. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota.