Travis Riddick on the set of Southern Fried Homicide.
(Updated 7/4/2014) Northeast Washington, D.C. native Travis Riddick was recently cast in multiple productions on the Investigation Discovery Network. In his latest role, in an episode of “Southern Fried Homicide,” Riddick portrayed David Isaiah Ramsey, one of four men charged with the Dec. 15, 2000 murder of DeKalb County (Ga.) Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. Investigators believe the assassination was orchestrated by former DeKalb County Sheriff Sydney Dorsey and carried out by Ramsey, former DeKalb deputy Patrick Cuffy, and Melvin Walker.
“To prepare for the role, I first did a lot of research of the story online and had briefings with the director,” Riddick said. “I spent a lot of time concentrating, trying to imagine myself there and bringing to life.”
An alumni of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Riddick began his career as a performing artist in 2008 with the Tantallon Community Players’ production of Ragtime at Harmony Hall Theatre in Fort Washington, Md. He has performed in HBO’s The Wire, Touchstone Picture’s Step Up 2, and Netflix’s House of Cards. He performed at Lincoln Theatre as “Brother Tommy” in playwright Vickie L. Evan’s theatrical production, A Change is Gonna Come, and is currently working on a documentary about gentrification in Washington, D.C.
Travis Riddick gets prepared for his on camera appearance.
As an avid fan of award-winning director, playwright, and actor Tyler Perry, Riddick credited Perry as his source of inspiration and artistic influence. “What I like about Perry is that he believed in God and himself enough to remain persistent in his craft even when he didn’t have a following.”
Of his current role, Riddick said, “It was an unfortunate situation that didn’t have to happen. I felt like Ramsey was one of those individuals who felt he had everything to lose and nothing to gain, so, he went along with the majority.”
The case of Derwin Brown, aired on Investigation Discovery’s “Southern Fried Homicide”this June. “It’s important to bring awareness to this case,” said Riddick. “It’s an avenue for the victim’s family. It may help bring closure to the family left behind by Brown.”
