Man convicted of killing Ohio deputy as bill to increase penalties for killing law enforcement officers stalled

A Hamilton County jury convicted Rodney Hinton Jr. of murdering a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy the day after Cincinnati police shot and killed his son.

The conviction comes as legislation named for Deputy Larry Henderson Jr. that would increase penalties in some aggravated-murder cases involving law enforcement officers has yet to advance out of an Ohio Senate committee.

A jury convicted Hinton of murder, two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault in Henderson’s May 2025 death. Jurors also convicted Hinton of reckless homicide on two counts that had originally charged him with aggravated murder.

Henderson was directing traffic during the University of Cincinnati’s spring commencement on May 2, 2025, when authorities said Hinton struck and killed him with his vehicle. The previous day, Cincinnati police fatally shot Hinton’s son, Ryan.

Prosecutors argued Hinton deliberately targeted Henderson, while his defense maintained he was experiencing a mental health crisis following his son’s death.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson praised the jury’s verdict, describing Henderson’s death as a loss for his family and the community.

“The senseless murder of Deputy Larry Henderson Jr. shattered a family and left a community mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant,” Wilson said in a statement. “We are thankful to the jury for its verdict, which accurately reflects the evidence in this case.”

“His death is a painful reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day while working to keep us safe. They deserve our gratitude,” Wilson said.

Henderson’s death prompted Republican state Reps. Cindy Abrams of Harrison and Phil Plummer of Dayton to introduce House Bill 372, the Larry Henderson Act, which would limit sentencing options for adults convicted of aggravated murder involving a peace officer, corrections officer, prosecutor, first responder or military member.

Under the proposal, offenders convicted of aggravated murder in those circumstances would face either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

The Ohio House passed the legislation in March by an 89-4 vote, with four Democrats opposing the measure.

The bill has remained in the Senate Judiciary Committee since April 15. According to legislative records, the committee held hearings on June 3 and June 10, but the legislation has not advanced to a Senate floor vote.

Although the bill was named for Henderson, its proposed sentencing requirements apply to aggravated murder convictions rather than the murder conviction returned against Hinton. Henderson’s widow, Lori Henderson, previously testified in support of the legislation, arguing that repeated parole hearings force families of slain officers to relive their losses.

“Justice is not truly served when victims’ families are condemned to a lifetime of reliving their loss through endless parole proceedings,” she told lawmakers.

Hinton is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16. His attorney, Clyde Bennett, said the defense plans to appeal.