OCT 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 10

AROUND THE COUNTRY
HONDO, TEXAS
Texas Dept. Of Criminal Justice Correctional
Officer III Kaitlyn ‘Birdie’ Ritnour Killed In Crash.
HONDO, TX – Texas Department
of Criminal Justice Correctional
Institutions Division
Correctional Officer III Kaitlyn
“Birdie” Ritnour died in the line
of duty on Sept. 3 after being
involved in a two-vehicle crash,
according to local police.
The 23-year-old correctional
officer had just wrapped up
an assignment at the Ruben M.
Torres Unit located at 125 Private
Road 4303 and was returning to
her regular duty station at the
Brisco Unit, when she was struck
by an oncoming vehicle while
merging into traffic, according to
the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Correctional Officer Ritnour
suffered severe injuries in the
collision and was pronounced
dead at the scene.
She had been with the department
for just five months.
“Kaitlyn was proud of her decision
to become a correctional
officer for the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice,” her obituary
read. “Kaitlyn’s life was tragically
taken too soon but her legacy of
love will live on in the hearts of
those she knew and loved.”
Correctional Officer Ritnour
leaves behind her parents, Tara
and Gene, and her fiancé, Zachariah.
She is also survived by her sister,
grandparents, aunt, her three
Officer Kaitlyn Ritnour
best friends, her three dogs, and
many extended family members
and friends.
Ritnour was laid to rest on Sept. 12.
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14 The BLUES The BLUES 15