Rodney Hinton Jr. Found Guilty of Murder After Killing Cop as Revenge a Day After Son’s Fatal Police Shooting

A man who struck and killed a county deputy intentionally with his car the day after his teenage son was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer was convicted of murder on Friday.

Rodney Hinton Jr. was also found guilty of reckless homicide and felonious assault for the crash last year that killed Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr. while he was directing traffic for a college graduation.

Henderson, who had spent decades working for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, had retired from the department a few months before the crash but was still working off-duty assignments.

The deputy was outside of his car at the time of the crash, after which he was rushed to UC Medical Center in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries.

Hinton Mowed Down Henderson a Day After His Son was Fatally Shot During Stolen SUV Investigation

The deadly crash took place in May 2025, hours after Hinton and other family members viewed police body camera footage showing a Cincinnati police officer fatally shoot his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, as previously reported.

The teenager was shot twice during a chase that ensued as part of an investigation into a stolen SUV. The officer who fired told investigators that the suspect pointed a gun at him, Cincinnati’s police chief has said.

In body camera footage of the shooting released by police, one officer can heard saying “he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun” before several shots are fired as Ryan Hinton ran behind an apartment complex.

The officer involved in the fatal shooting wasn’t charged in his death. Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said last year that a review of the shooting found that the officer was “legally justified in his use of force.”

Defense Claimed Hinton was Having a Psychotic Episode, was Trying to Kill Himself When He Crashed His Car into Henderson

Hinton pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His lawyer, Clyde Bennett II, said he would appeal the conviction. The case focused heavily on Hinton’s mental state during the crash.

Bennett said in closing arguments that Hinton was trying to kill himself when he drove into the intersection and described him as having a psychotic episode. Hinton was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses.

However, prosecutors argued that although he was distraught and grieving, he made the choice to aim his car at the deputy and that his mental illnesses didn’t stop him from understanding the difference between right and wrong.

Hinton faces 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole on the murder conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for November 16.

Henderson had a long career with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. During his funeral last year, he was described as a selfless colleague, dedicated public servant and someone who regularly volunteered for the most dangerous assignments.