Retired Jefferson County Deputy Arrested for Shooting Dog in Jasper County

GRAPHIC CONTENT – Details may be disturbing to some readers

Ritchie Wayne Droddy, 68, of Jasper, was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty on July 29, 2025. Photo Courtesy of JCSO.

A retired law enforcement officer is now behind bars after admitting to shooting and killing a friendly, collared dog on his rural property in north Jasper County—despite feeding the dog, interacting with it throughout the day, and later discovering clear identification tags attached to its collar.

Ritchie Wayne Droddy, 68, of Jasper, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, a third-degree felony.

Public records reviewed by the East Texas Banner confirm that Droddy retired from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 after more than three decades of service.

The incident unfolded on Monday, July 28, when Droddy contacted the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office around 11:30 a.m. to report a suspicious vehicle near his property on County Road 089. He told dispatchers that a small truck had briefly parked at the end of his driveway before driving off and suspected the person was dumping trash—or a dog, which he claimed was an ongoing problem in the area.

After the vehicle left, Droddy returned home and was met by a black, bob-tailed dog wearing a collar. By Droddy’s own admission, the dog was friendly, followed him to the mailbox, and sat calmly with him outside his shop. His wife also interacted with the dog and gave it three cups of dog food. She even removed and adjusted the collar, yet both claimed they didn’t notice the attached identification tag—despite it being labeled with a name and two phone numbers.

Droddy left a message with the sheriff’s office, and later spoke by phone with Sergeant Cody Christopher. During the call, Droddy allegedly asked the deputy to come out and shoot the dog. Sgt. Christopher refused and explained that state law prohibits killing animals that are not posing a threat.

The call ended without further action.

Approximately three hours later, around 2:30 p.m., JCSO dispatch received another update—Droddy had shot and killed the dog himself. Afterward, he located the tag, called one of the numbers listed, and spoke directly to the dog’s owner, Cory Melton.

According to the report, Droddy accused Melton of abandoning the dog. Melton, who had been at work all day, explained that the dog had become separated during a family trip to their deer lease, which is located near Droddy’s property. When Melton asked, “The black bob-tailed dog?” Droddy confirmed, “Yes.”

Deputies responded to Droddy’s home, where he handed over the dog’s collar—clearly labeled with the name “Bubba White” and two working phone numbers. Droddy told deputies that the dog had cornered a barn cat in his shed earlier in the day but that he was able to calmly remove the dog by its collar, and no injuries occurred.

Later, Droddy tied the dog’s leash, led it to the back of his property, and shot it in the head.

He told deputies it was only after the shooting that he noticed what he thought was a “design” on the collar—only to realize it was the owner’s name and contact information.

On Tuesday, July 29, Droddy voluntarily went to the Sheriff’s Office to meet with Sheriff Chuck Havard and Sgt. Christopher. An arrest warrant had already been obtained, and Droddy was taken into custody and booked into the Jasper County Jail.

“A Texas resident has every right to defend their livestock, animals, and family,” said Sheriff Havard, “but you must be in compliance with state law when using force that can cause serious injury or death to an animal.”

Droddy remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.