In the quiet hum of a Cincinnati afternoon, tragedy struck with a force that left a community reeling. Larry Henderson, a retired Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy beloved for his 33 years of service, was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati’s graduation ceremony on May 2, 2025. His fluorescent vest gleamed under the spring sun, a symbol of his continued dedication despite retiring just months earlier. In an instant, a car driven by Rodney Hinton Jr., a 38-year-old father consumed by grief, veered toward him. The collision was swift and deliberate, authorities say, ending Henderson’s life and unraveling a chain of events rooted in loss and retribution.
The day before, on May 1, Cincinnati police had fatally shot Hinton’s 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, during a stolen vehicle investigation in East Price Hill. Ryan, one of four suspects who fled from a 2021 Kia Telluride, was pursued by officers from the Fugitive Apprehension Squad. Body camera footage, described as blurry and chaotic, captured the six-second encounter. Officers reported seeing Ryan with a handgun, and one shouted “gun” before firing multiple shots. Ryan, struck in the chest and arm, died despite attempts at medical aid. A loaded gun with an extended magazine was recovered at the scene, though there’s no evidence Ryan fired it. His family, devastated, hired attorneys to investigate the shooting, questioning the clarity of the footage and the justification for lethal force.
Hours before the crash that killed Henderson, Rodney Hinton Jr. sat with family and attorneys, watching the body camera video of his son’s final moments. The footage was too much to bear. Hinton, described as “very distraught,” couldn’t finish watching, according to family attorney Michael Wright. He left the meeting alone, driving off in his vehicle. What followed, prosecutors allege, was a calculated act of vengeance. Around 1 p.m., as Henderson managed traffic at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods Drive, Hinton’s car crossed oncoming lanes, accelerated, and struck the deputy standing on the sidewalk. The impact was fatal. Henderson, remembered as a “tremendous person” by Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, died shortly after at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Rodney Hinton Jr. now faces a charge of aggravated murder. At his arraignment on May 3, a courtroom packed with deputies stood in solemn solidarity for their fallen colleague. Prosecutors painted a vivid picture of intent, stating that Hinton “lined up his car, deliberately accelerated, and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff.” His public defender, acknowledging the “emotionally charged situation,” noted Hinton’s lack of prior felonies and requested bond, which was denied. Hinton, held without bond in Clermont County Jail for his safety, is set for a hearing on May 6. As he was escorted from court, he reportedly shouted at deputies, “He’s going to be gone forever,” though it’s unclear whether he referred to Henderson or his son.
The intertwined tragedies have left Cincinnati grappling with questions. Was Hinton’s act a targeted retaliation, or a broader expression of anguish? Authorities have found no evidence that Hinton knew Henderson personally, yet Police Chief Teresa Theetge emphasized a “connection” between the incidents. The community mourns Henderson, a man so respected that McGuffey said his admirers could fill a building. Meanwhile, Ryan’s family, through their attorneys, expressed heartbreak for both losses, calling the events an “unimaginable tragedy.” Investigations into both the police shooting and the crash continue, with officials urging patience as they seek answers.
This double loss has sparked debate about police use of force, the accessibility of body camera footage, and the ripple effects of grief. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called Henderson’s death a “cruel reminder” of law enforcement’s sacrifices, while community voices on social media question the handling of Ryan’s case. Cincinnati stands at a crossroads, mourning a dedicated deputy and a young life cut short, while searching for ways to heal a fractured trust.
