Larry Henderson: Rodney Hinton Jr. Guilty of Deputy's Murder

A Hamilton County jury in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday, October 23, 2026, found Rodney Hinton Jr. guilty of murder in the death of Deputy Larry Henderson, a 33-year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Henderson was hit by a car and killed on May 2, 2025, while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during graduation ceremonies. The jury also convicted Hinton of two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault.

The case drew national attention because of what happened the day before. Hinton's son, Ryan Hinton, was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer, and Hinton had watched body camera video of that shooting only hours before Henderson was hit. Hinton pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and the trial turned on one question: did he understand that what he did was wrong?

Who Was Larry Henderson?

Larry Henderson spent 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. According to FOX19, his career included service in the Marine Corps, time on SWAT and work in several specialized units. He retired in December 2024 and was working a special traffic detail for the university's graduation when he died. He was 57.

Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey has described him as a trainer who shaped hundreds of deputies. In remarks reported by ABC News, she said his "ability to relate to and touch officers' lives was extraordinary." The sheriff's office retired his badge number, 129. His sister, Jeanne Stockton, told FOX19 he was "a warrior through and through." He is survived by his wife, Lori Henderson, and a son.

Ohio lawmakers have also been working on a bill named after him, the "Larry Henderson Act," which FOX19 reported would set the death penalty or life without parole as the penalty for the aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer.

What Happened Near the University of Cincinnati?

On May 1, 2025, Ryan Hinton was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer. FOX19 reported that the shooting was later found to be justified. The next day, Rodney Hinton Jr. went to a Cincinnati police facility with relatives to view the body camera footage.

Atlanta Black Star, citing trial testimony, reported that relatives did not want him to drive home afterward and that he rested at a relative's home before getting his vehicle back. Later that day, Henderson was hit and killed while directing traffic near Burnet Woods, close to the University of Cincinnati campus, according to FOX19. Both the prosecution and the defense agreed that Hinton was the driver, WVXU reported. The dispute at trial was about his state of mind.

What Did Each Side Argue at Trial?

Defense attorney Clyde Bennett II argued that Hinton has a long history of serious mental illness and was in the middle of acute psychosis that day. WVXU reported that Bennett told jurors Hinton "didn't understand the wrongfulness of his conduct because of acute psychotic symptoms," and that Hinton may have been trying to take his own life when the crash happened. Hinton did not testify.

Prosecutors said the crash was intentional. Assistant Prosecutor Kate Burroughs told jurors, according to WVXU, that "it was the defendant's purpose and specific intent to kill deputy Larry Henderson." FOX19 reported that prosecutors framed the crash as revenge for his son's death. Prosecution expert Jennifer O'Donnell, a forensic psychologist, testified that "there are things that indicate he did understand the wrongfulness of his conduct."

What Was the Verdict?

Jurors reached their verdict on the third day of deliberations, according to WHIO, after a trial of about two weeks. WHIO reported that Hinton originally faced two aggravated murder charges. Judge Jody Luebbers allowed jurors to consider reckless homicide as a lesser charge. The jury returned guilty verdicts on murder, two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault.

Before the trial, Judge Luebbers took the death penalty off the table after experts testified about Hinton's mental illness, Atlanta Black Star and WVXU reported. A murder conviction in Ohio carries 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to Atlanta Black Star.

What Happens Next?

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026, at 9 a.m. before Judge Luebbers. FOX19 reported that Bennett said he was "disappointed" with the verdict and plans to file an appeal within 30 days of sentencing. The conviction stands unless an appeals court rules otherwise.

The case leaves two families grieving. The Henderson family lost a husband, father and longtime public servant. The Hinton family lost a son to a police shooting a day earlier. Both losses are part of the record in a case that Cincinnati has followed closely for more than a year.

Timeline of the Larry Henderson Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Deputy Larry Henderson?

He was a 57-year-old Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy who retired in December 2024 after 33 years and was working a traffic detail at University of Cincinnati graduation when he was killed on May 2, 2025.

What was Rodney Hinton Jr. convicted of?

Murder, two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault, according to WHIO and Atlanta Black Star.

Could Rodney Hinton Jr. get the death penalty?

No. Judge Jody Luebbers ruled out the death penalty before trial. Murder carries 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to Atlanta Black Star.

When will he be sentenced?

Sentencing is set for November 16, 2026, at 9 a.m. His attorney has said he plans to appeal.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• WVXU: Jury finds Rodney Hinton Jr. guilty of murder in deputy's death
• FOX19: Defense to file appeal after Hinton verdict
• WHIO: Jury convicts man in deputy's death
• Local 12 WKRC: Jury convicts Hinton on all charges
• Atlanta Black Star: Report on the Hinton verdict and trial testimony
• FOX19: Remembering Deputy Larry Henderson one year later
• ABC News: Initial report on the deputy's death