Ron King was born December 17, 1956, in Ruston, Louisiana.  He grew up in Rangely, Colorado and began his law enforcement career with the Meeker Police Department.  From there, he served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Routt County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Colorado State Patrol as a Trooper.  In 1989, he was sworn in as a Deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.  Ron worked in patrol, community relations, D.A.R.E. and traffic enforcement during his 9 years with Douglas County.

On the afternoon of May 21, 1999, Deputy King and his partner, Deputy Chris Washburn, were on motorcycle patrol on southbound U.S. Highway 85 near Louviers CO when a northbound van turned left into the Deputies’ path, colliding with their motorcycles.  The van was driven by a male party who had just come from a bar in Sedalia and was attempting to turn into the parking lot of another bar.  Deputy King died of his injuries while en-route to a hospital.  Deputy Washburn, who was seriously injured in the crash, underwent numerous surgeries, but miraculously returned to full duty within a few months.

Deputy King loved working with the youth of Douglas County.  He was commitment to youth safety programs during his assignment as a community relations officer along with his devotion to the D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. programs. Deputy King also worked tirelessly with his commitment to improving traffic safety as a Motorcycle Officer with the hallmarks of his career.  In honor of Deputy King’s commitment to young people, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office commissioned the Ronald M. King Community Service Awards, which each year will recognize a community member and a sheriff’s office employee who have demonstrated exemplary public service in areas related to youth.  Ron was also an anchor to his family.  He was a devoted father to four girls and was a wonderful companion for the love of his life, Marleen Brack.