Remembering Christopher Ridley
By Dan Murphy
My father was a New York City police officer, and I know that the worst fear for a family of a police officer, or a loved one serving in the military, is that their loved one might not come home. In Westchester, 11 years after a tragedy resulted in the death of Mt. Vernon Police Officer Christopher Ridley, a memorial now stands in White Plains where he was shot and killed serving his community.
Detective Ridley was shot and killed after being mistaken for a suspect in White Plains in 2008. He was off duty from his job in the Mt. Vernon Police Department, when driving in White Plains he witnessed a fight between two homeless men near the intersection of Court Street and Martine Avenue at approximately 5 p.m.
He exited his vehicle and attempted to break up the fight, but was then violently attacked by the aggressor. During the struggle, Ridley’s handgun fell to the ground and discharged, attracting the attention of two Westchester County police officers who were in an adjacent county building.
The two officers approached the scene as Ridley picked up his weapon from the ground. Not realizing he was a police officer, the two officers ordered him to drop his weapon and then fired when he did not comply, fatally wounding him.
Ridley had served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for one year and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. He was xxxxx years old.
The White Plains corner where Ridley lost his life was renamed in his memory by the Board of Legislators in 2009, and on Aug. 31, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, County Legislator Lyndon Williams, and friends and family unveiled the Detective Christopher A. Ridley memorial.
“At a moment like this, you try to value what a human life is and what it means,” said Latimer. “It is difficult but important on a day like today to not only remember the end of the life of Christopher Ridley, but the life that he actually lived.”
The ceremony, emceed by Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, who as a county legislator was in his office overlooking the shooting, marked the unveiling of the memorial that includes text on the front noting the tragic sequence of events that took place Jan. 25, 2008, along with a portrait of Ridley and the poem “I Rise” by Maya Angelou on the back.
“It is our sincere hope that this memorial will immortalize Christopher’s life of service, but will also educate and inspire citizens to live in the spirit of peace, justice and reciprocity,” said Jenkins.
Williams added: “As anyone walks past this plaza, they will know – they will know – that in 2008 a young man, 23 years old, who could have gone home and he could be alive today, stopped, intervened to save another person. Through all of it, that is the story, that’s the story of a hero. I stand here to say this to Christopher’s parents: ‘The time has come for us to have a fitting permanent memorial to Christopher Ridley, a hero that lost his life on this plaza.’”
Senior Pastor of the Historic Grace Baptist Church the Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson called the occasion a great moment for Westchester because it is standing up and recognizing the contributions of Ridley. “We are here today not because Christopher was shot, not because he died, but because he lived,” he said. “I hope that this monument will provide healing, and that it will become a symbol of a county that’s sensitive and inclusive and cares for all of its citizens.”
Richardson added that he was proud of the county “for stepping up and owning the injustice” that occurred, and for not letting it be swept under the rug and forgotten about.
Ridley’s father, Stanley Ridley said his son’s memory is one of the many great contributions that will come out of Mount Vernon’s community. “He may no longer be ours, but now his memory belongs to this world,” he said.
Mother Felitia Rucker Bouche added: “I hope this monument can teach others that when you do something, do it unconditionally. Today we are here to honor my son, a brother, and a fallen officer who did his job fearlessly and unconditionally.”
Regardless of how a hero who is serving his country or his community falls, his memory and his honor of service should always be remembered. God Bless the memory of Det. Christopher Ridley.
