Funeral arrangements have been set for a beloved Crittenden County Sheriff’s deputy who passed away last Thursday from critical injuries suffered in the line of duty on April 2nd.
According to Gilbert Funeral Home, services for 58-year-old Richard Joseph “Rick” Coyle, of Marion, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday at Rocket Arena at Crittenden County High School, with private committal services to follow.
Coyle served the past two years with the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and School Resource Officer for the Crittenden County School District. Before that, he retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2019, having served on SWAT, and had previously worked for the Will County Sheriff’s Department in Illinois.
On April 2nd, state police said that Deputy Coyle and deputies, along with staff from the Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services, had gone to a residence in the 2800 block of KY 365 near Sturgis to serve emergency guardianship papers.
Investigators reported that during the response, gunfire was exchanged with 60-year-old Ronnie Phillips, who was killed. Police said Deputy Coyle sustained critical injuries in the incident and was airlifted to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville.
A woman in the home was safely removed, and no other injuries were reported.
The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday, April 30th, that Deputy Coyle passed away that morning from his injuries.
Deputy Coyle leaves behind his wife, Jami of Marion; a sister in Chicago, Illinois; several nieces; and his mother-in-law.
Donations may be made to Supporting Heroes at supportingheroes.org or the Chicago Police Memorial Fund at cpdmemorial.org.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.
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