Funeral Honors for Fallen Trooper Dennis Ricks Marked by Dignity and Respect
A State Mourns a Hero
The funeral services for South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper First Class Dennis D. Ricks were held Wednesday at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia—a poignant gathering honoring a dedicated officer who lost his life in the line of duty.
Before the service began at 11 a.m., a solemn procession began at 10 a.m. from Dunbar Funeral Home to the church, with fellow officers paying their respects along the route. Hundreds of law enforcement officials—from South Carolina and as far away as California—joined family, friends, and community members to participate in this tribute.
Reflections from Colleagues and Officials
At the service, SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV delivered heartfelt remarks:
“It is with heavy hearts that we gather today to remember our friend and trooper, Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks. Ricks’ passing is a tragic loss for his family, his friends, and the law enforcement community as a whole.” (WCIV)
Colonel Christopher Williamson, Commander of the SC Highway Patrol, acknowledged the pain of such a loss:
“Like many of you in this room, I too have lost friends and colleagues in the line of duty … these are the hardest days of a law enforcement officer’s life.”
Ceremony of Honor and Tribute
The funeral concluded with powerful ceremonial honors, including the playing of “Taps” and a 21-gun salute, as Trooper Ricks was laid to rest among those he served beside.
An honor guard presented his flag-draped casket to his wife, Jade. Reflecting the governor’s deep respect, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster ordered all state flags flown at half-staff until sunset in tribute to Trooper Ricks’s sacrifice (https://www.live5news.com).
Remembering Trooper Ricks
Trooper Ricks suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a box truck while conducting a traffic stop in Orangeburg County on August 13. He was airlifted to a hospital where he passed away four days later. He was the 52nd member of the SC Highway Patrol to die in the line of duty.
Born in Rock Hill, Ricks graduated from West Florence High School and served in Troop 7, Post B, patrolling Orangeburg and Calhoun counties after joining the patrol in 2023.
A Family’s Farewell
In a touching statement, his widow shared,
“Marrying Dennis was truly the best choice I ever made in my lifetime … Everything that he did was for us.” She implored drivers to “please slow down and move over for emergency vehicles,” underscoring the human cost of the crash and the importance of safety on the roads (https://www.live5news.com).
Summary: Trooper Dennis Ricks’s funeral was a solemn yet powerful ceremony filled with respect, emotion, and unity—bringing together a community and state honoring a life devoted to service.
