Ohio Police Officer Killed in Alleged Retaliatory Vehicle Attack by Dad Whose Teen Son was Shot Dead by Police

Rodney Hinton, Right, is alleged to have run over a deputy after police shot and killed his son, Ryan Hinton, Left

A veteran Ohio sheriff's deputy was killed on Friday after being struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, whose teenage son had been shot and killed by police just one day earlier. The tragic incident occurred while the deputy was directing traffic at the University of Cincinnati's graduation ceremony.

Authorities confirmed that the deputy, whose name has not been officially released, had recently retired but continued to serve on a part-time basis. Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene and attempted to provide aid, but the deputy was pronounced dead shortly after.

Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, allegedly struck a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy with his car near the University of Cincinnati

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey confirmed the fatal collision and said the driver, identified as Hinton, was immediately taken into custody. Investigators are treating the incident as intentional. Hinton’s son, Ryan, was killed during a police encounter on Thursday amid a stolen vehicle investigation.

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge urged the community to remain calm, emphasizing transparency and a thorough investigation. “Let the processes play out, let the investigations play out,” she said. “Keep calm, take care of one another.”

The deputy who was killed was a retired officer who had continued to work occasionally for the department. He was monitoring traffic for a college graduation when he was killed

According to law enforcement, deputies responded to an apartment complex early Thursday morning in search of a stolen vehicle. Upon locating it, four individuals fled the scene on foot. Body camera footage shows one of the suspects, later identified as 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, tripping as officers gave chase. Police said the footage is blurry but revealed that an officer fired after allegedly seeing Ryan assume a threatening stance—described as a "bladed position"—while holding a weapon.

The officer shouted “gun” before discharging his weapon approximately four times. Two bullets struck Ryan in the chest and side, one exiting through his back and another traveling through his arm. Officers later recovered a handgun near his body, along with a second magazine in his jacket. A second firearm was found in the stolen vehicle.

The fatal crash came a day after Rodney Hinton's son, Ryan, was killed by a police officer after he ran away from cops investigating an alleged stolen vehicle

While there is no indication that Ryan fired a weapon, the investigation is ongoing. Two suspects from the scene were arrested: Jurell Austin, 18, and DeAnthony Bullocks, 19, who face charges of obstruction and receiving stolen property. Austin also faces a separate felony assault charge and is being held on $25,000 bond. Bullocks’ bond is set at $20,000. A fourth suspect remains at large.

Rodney Hinton appeared in court on Saturday morning for a bond hearing. More than 30 deputies were in attendance. His public defender stated that Hinton had no prior felonies and was in an emotionally charged state following his son’s death. Hinton is currently held without bond at Clermont County Jail and is scheduled to reappear in court on May 6.

Body camera footage showed a grainy video of Ryan Hinton running away from police officers before they shot and killed him. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the officer who fired his gun feared for his life

The death of the deputy has deeply affected the law enforcement community. Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober described the incident as "one of the worst things" he has seen in his career and called for the death penalty. County Prosecutor Connie Pillich stated that if the investigation confirms the act was intentional, her office will pursue the full extent of the law.