HENDERSON COUNTY, NC – At approximately 2:50 AM on September 10, 2020 Henderson County communications received a call to 911 regarding a vehicle breaking and entering at 207 Bethea Dr. off of Piney Ridge in the Mountain Home community.
The original caller stated shots were being exchanged between the homeowner and suspects. Deputies from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office responded. Deputies located a suspect and vehicle in the area. Deputies were fired upon. At 3:04am a Henderson County deputy was struck by suspect gun fire and critically injured. Deputies returned fire at the suspect and he did not survive.
The injured deputy was transported to Mission Hospital in critical condition. Last night, the department announced the deputy had died from his wounds.
“It is with a very heavy heart the family of Henderson County Deputy Ryan Hendrix and Sheriff Lowell Griffin announce Ryan’s passing,” the department said. “Early this morning while the world slept, Ryan responded to assist a family needing help when they became innocent victims of a violent encounter. We all know the tragic outcome, but Ryan refuses to let the story end there.Even in passing Ryan continues to exemplify a servant’s heart. You see, Ryan was also an organ donor. He will continue to help strangers for a lifetime, even after making the ultimate sacrifice.”