HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — A grand jury has indicted a man on multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated murder, in connection with the death of a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy. Prosecutors announced Thursday that 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr. faces severe penalties, including the death penalty if convicted.
Hinton is accused of deliberately striking Deputy James Henderson, who was directing traffic during a graduation ceremony at the University of Cincinnati. The incident occurred on a significant day for the university, heightening concerns about public safety and the responsibilities of law enforcement in such settings.
Details emerged about Hinton’s actions earlier that day, including his presence at the police station where his family was shown footage of a previous police shooting involving his son, Ryan Hinton. The altercation, which resulted in Ryan’s death, occurred during a police pursuit linked to a stolen vehicle. Authorities reported that Ryan was armed at the time of the incident.
Prosecutor Connie Pillich detailed a timeline of Hinton’s movements leading up to the fatal encounter with Henderson. Initially arriving at the police department at approximately 9:33 a.m., Hinton left the building at around 9:51 a.m. after becoming agitated. He and his family departed without using his own vehicle. After briefly leaving and returning to retrieve his car, he eventually drove toward the university campus with his family following closely behind.
Investigators allege that Hinton intentionally targeted Henderson, accelerating his vehicle on Martin Luther King Drive, where the deputy was stationed. Pillich noted that Henderson, in full uniform and a fluorescent vest, was clearly visible. Eyewitness accounts suggest Hinton navigated through multiple lanes of traffic at high speed before striking Henderson, ultimately colliding with a nearby pole.
Henderson, rushed to a local hospital, succumbed to his injuries later that evening, prompting outrage and sorrow within the community. Pillich emphasized the gravity of the crime, declaring it a “targeted killing” of an innocent officer dedicated to serving and protecting the public. She also expressed concern for the safety of those attending the graduation ceremony, calling Hinton’s actions reckless and alarming.
During a court appearance on Tuesday, Hinton was ordered to be held without bond as the cases against him unfold. The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has also initiated a separate investigation concerning the incident that resulted in Ryan Hinton’s death, as is standard protocol in such critical cases.
Pillich urged the community to remain patient as her office reviews all pertinent evidence, underscoring the seriousness with which the prosecutor’s office is approaching these incidents. The dual investigations set a complex stage for the days ahead in Hamilton County as the legal process begins to take shape.