Mother honors son’s legacy after he was killed days before Christmas
By Megan Matthews
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A Louisville mother is honoring the legacy of her son, 20-year-old Milton Ritchie Jr., after he was shot and killed just days before Christmas.
Police said Ritchie was found outside of a car in a ditch near PRP, with multiple gunshot wounds.
Ritchie’s mother, Hortense Madison, said she’s now trying to navigate life without her only child.
“I just can’t stop talking about how good of a person that he was and how his life was taken from us so senselessly,” Madison said. “He is my only child. And so for me not to have my son is hurtful, but I got my friends, my family, people that I don’t even know, just coming out and showing me so much love.”
On Sunday, friends and family gathered at Shawnee Park to celebrate Ritchie’s life and the impact he had on the people around him.
“I mean, the world lost a gem,” Madison said. “He was one of the most caring people out there.”
Madison chose the court where the Dirt Bowl is held, an event Ritchie was passionate about, as the place to remember him and mark what would have been his 21st birthday with the people closest to him.
“He always just loved doing things for people, if he could,” said Barbara Lee, Ritchie’s godmother.
Many in attendance said they are now leaning on their faith as they grieve.
“I hope he knows that I love him, and I’m proud of him,” Ritchie’s friend Jeffery Grace said. “And just thank you, God, for bringing someone like that into my life.”
The tribute included a dove release in Ritchie’s honor, as loved ones vowed to keep his memory alive.
“He’s not here. I’m his voice now,” Madison said.
Organizers also announced that the Dirt Bowl is honoring Ritchie with the Milton Ritchie Jr. Internship Program, which will sponsor a participant to learn the inner workings of the Dirt Bowl.
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