Franklin County Deputy Rodney Rickman Dies After Medical Emergency at 56

Deputy Rodney J. Rickman of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office died the morning of Aug. 20 after suffering a medical emergency, the department announced that day on its official LinkedIn page. He was 56.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Deputy Rodney Rickman," the Sheriff's Office said.

The Gahanna resident had suffered the emergency on a Saturday and died despite efforts to save his life. The department has not disclosed the nature of the medical emergency, where it occurred, or whether Rickman was on or off duty at the time. His end of watch was recorded as Aug. 20.

Dublin sits primarily in Franklin County, though it extends into Delaware and Union counties, placing portions of the city under the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction.

Rickman served as a deputy for two years, but his ties to the office ran much deeper. He spent the previous eight years working for Franklin County Fleet Management, the division that maintains and coordinates all vehicles used by the Sheriff's Office, building relationships across the department long before he pinned on a badge. He was also a U.S. military veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division.

The Sheriff's Office extended condolences in its announcement. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him," the department said.

Rickman's death raises broader questions about what medical-emergency protocols and support resources the department provides for its deputies. Franklin County deputy benefits include full health care coverage and health and physical fitness incentive programs. The county has also authorized purchase of the CordicoShield mobile wellness app, designed to support first responder mental and physical health. What role, if any, those resources played in Rickman's case — and whether the department is reviewing its response to line-of-duty medical incidents — remains unanswered.

Rickman is survived by his three children, Rodney J. Rickman II, Raegan Rickman and Rhys Rickman; his fiancée, Kimberly Sparks; his mother, Juanita Rickman; and six siblings.

A visitation is scheduled for today, Friday, Aug. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Road in Gahanna. A graveside service with interment and military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 East Broad Street in Columbus. The family requests donations in Rickman's memory to Disabled American Veterans or the National Fraternal Order of Police in lieu of flowers.