10/22/2026
Today we remember Richmond Police Patrolman John Wesley “Bud” Hennigar, who died in the line of duty on October 22, 1924. He was 31 years old and left behind his wife, Lucile, and two young daughters. His story offers a glimpse into Richmond’s history and the dangers early motorcycle officers faced.
Hennigar joined the Richmond Police Department on January 15, 1922. Assigned to motorcycle patrol and traffic enforcement, he became a familiar figure around the city. Newspaper accounts described him as quiet, courteous, and even-tempered, with a grin that earned him friends throughout Richmond. Many of the motorists he arrested reportedly respected him. Before the incident that claimed his life, he had recovered from serious injuries in two other on-duty accidents and returned to motorcycle work.
On October 21, 1924, Hennigar and Officer Frank Hickman were searching for suspects after Thomas Ryan, who lived on Wernle Road south of Richmond, reported that two men had threatened him with a revolver. The investigation eventually involved two automobiles, several suspects, and possible liquor trafficking during Prohibition—details that made the early newspaper reports confusing and sometimes contradictory.
During that search, the officers encountered an automobile driven by Clarence Ringley, a Richmond garage worker. Hennigar was driving the police motorcycle, with Hickman riding in the attached sidecar. Hickman reported displaying his badge and ordering the driver to stop. Instead, the automobile accelerated, beginning a pursuit that continued east on the National Road into Ohio.
During the chase, Hickman fired repeatedly at the automobile, using both his revolver and Hennigar’s. One shot punctured the left rear tire, but Ringley continued driving. Hickman later reported that the vehicles were traveling approximately 50 miles per hour as the motorcycle attempted to pull ahead.
About half a mile east of New Westville, Ohio, the motorcycle drew alongside the automobile. According to Hickman, Ringley deliberately turned his car into them, forcing the motorcycle off the road. Both officers were thrown from the machine.
Hickman survived with cuts, bruises, and a sprained right arm. Hennigar suffered severe head injuries, reportedly striking an interurban rail. Passing motorists helped transport the officers to Richmond’s city hall, where they transferred them to the police ambulance and took them to Reid Memorial Hospital.
Surgeons operated on Hennigar that evening, attempting to relieve the effects of his brain injuries. He died at 12:40 a.m. on October 22.
Police located Ringley at his sister’s home in Camden, Ohio, and arrested him early that morning. He had suffered a gunshot wound during the pursuit. Because the fatal crash occurred in Ohio, the case proceeded in Preble County. Contemporary newspapers reported an initial charge of first-degree murder; the Indiana Law Enforcement Memorial records that he was subsequently acquitted.
Hennigar’s death prompted an immediate response from the community. A collection for his widow and daughters—Marjorie, five, and Barbara Jean, two—quickly exceeded $900 ($17,630.58 in today's dollars). Businesses, factories, banks, and residents of different means contributed.
His funeral was held at 2 p.m. on October 24 at a residence on South 7th Street, with the Rev. Frank A. Dressel of First English Lutheran Church officiating. Jordan Funeral Home, now Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, handled the arrangements. Boyhood friends served as pallbearers, and police officers escorted the procession to Earlham Cemetery. Mayor Lawrence Handley directed that flags be lowered to half-staff and city bells tolled for the funeral.
Richmond was mourning another public servant at the same time. Richmond Fire Department Firefighter William M. Kenney died from injuries suffered while fighting the Lindley Hall fire at Earlham College. Newspaper coverage linked the two losses, describing a community grieving alongside both families.
Hennigar is buried in Earlham Cemetery, Section 2, Lot 110, Grave 7. His name also lives on through our local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #63, which is named in his honor. More than a century later, the surviving newspaper accounts help preserve the story of the officer known throughout Richmond simply as “Bud.”
Special thanks to Sue King of Morrisson-Reeves Library for providing the historical information and newspaper accounts, and to Gary Riggle of Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary for providing the funeral and burial records. Their assistance helped preserve and share Patrolman Hennigar’s story.
