Suspects connected to Richmond Officer’s murder go before a judge

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ) – The four people charged in connection with a Richmond police officer faced a judge for the first time Monday morning.

The courtroom was filled with officers supporting their fallen brother, Officer Daniel Ellis.

Officer Ellis died Friday after being in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Hospital for two days.

State Police say Officer Ellis was investigating an attempted robbery which led him and another officer to Raleigh Sizemore’s home on Ballard Drive. According to KSP, Gregory Ratliff let officers into the home, telling them it was empty. Troopers say Sizemore was hiding and shot Officer Ellis as he walked into a bedroom to search.

Sizemore is charged with Officer Ellis’ murder, two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, unlawful imprisonment first degree and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Friday he was moved out of the Madison County Detention Center and is now at the state prison in La Grange.

Sizemore’s bond is set at $2.5 million.

Ratliff is charged with complicity of commit murder of a police officer. Rita Creech, who troopers say was also in the home, and Carl Banks are charged in connection to the attempted robbery Officer Ellis was investigating.

Bond for Creech and Banks is set at $100,000. Ratliff’s bond is $2 million.

Ratliff, Creech and Banks are in the Madison County Detention Center.

All appeared by video conference Monday morning and their next court appearance is November 18th.