HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Dedicated. Determined. Fearless. Practical jokester. Hero.

These are just some of the traits those who knew and loved Deputy Ryan Hendrix remember him by. Now, a bridge that sees more than 20,000 travelers each day in Hendersonville will call on those passing by to stop and remember, if only for a moment, the sacrifice Ryan made four years ago.

Early morning rain set a somber tone for July 18, 2024. But clouds quickly parted by mid-morning and the sun shined down on community members who gathered outside the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office to remember the fallen deputy. A ceremony was held to dedicate and rename the bridge located on Hendersonville’s Four Seasons Boulevard at the I-26 overpass to Deputy Ryan P. Hendrix, who was killed in the line of duty in 2020.

“A Henderson County hero, a North Carolina hero and a true American hero,” is how Pastor Anothony Craver of Upward Christian Fellowship Church described Ryan in his invocation.

On the morning of Sept. 10, 2020, Hendrix was shot while responding to a reported vehicle break-in in the Mountain Home community. Tragically, he died from his injuries later that day. The 34-year-old Asheville native was survived by his parents, his daughter, his son, and by his fiancé. The two were supposed to be married that October.

Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin thanked the community for coming out to support Ryan and his family on Thursday, giving special thanks to all local and state leaders who helped make the bridge renaming possible.

The sheriff said he would never forget the morning of Sept. 10, 2020 when Ryan’s life was taken too soon. He said Ryan’s sacrifice stood as “a stark reminder of the challenges that all of the men and women in law enforcement make every time they put on the badge.”

Sheriff Griffin said the bridge dedicated to Ryan’s honor should serve as a reminder of these sacrifices.

“A bridge bearing his name is more than just words on a sign, it’s more than just a consolation… it’s a memorial that should cause people, even if for only a brief moment, to reflect and give thanks,” Griffin said.

During the ceremony, U.S. Rep Chuck Edwards (NC-11) also called on those traveling over the bridge to reflect on Ryan’s commitment to the community.

BRIDGE DEDICATION CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE FOR SLAIN DEPUTY

“Ryan’s life and his legacy, his courage and his bravery, and his dedication to serve shall forever serve as a reminder to North Carolinians that freedom isn’t free,” Congressman Edwards said. “As we all cross this bridge, I ask that you reflect for a moment on a life that tragically ended far too soon.”

Among the guest speakers, Hendersonville Councilwoman Jennifer Hensley thanked everyone who made the bridge dedication and renaming possible.

Ryan’s father, Don Hendrix, closed the ceremony by saying his family was honored and humbled by all of the community support. He said it was an honor to have Ryan’s name memorialized.

“We preserve the names of our heroes from time to time for these reasons, as a way of thanking them for their service,” he said.

At the end of the service, the sign for the “Deputy Ryan P Hendrix Bridge” was unveiled for all to see.

Ahead of the ceremony, one community member in attendance, Elizabeth Myron, said although she hadn’t known Deputy Hendrix personally, she knew many members of local law enforcement and felt the impact of his sacrifice. Myron said Ryan’s dedication to the community inspired her to fill out a volunteer application form with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

Even in his absence, Ryan’s service still inspires.