Kevin Ryman was an officer of the Raccoon City Police Department (R.P.D.), a dedicated, if somewhat impatient, law enforcement professional. Born in 1967, he possessed superior athletic abilities and was widely regarded as an outstanding marksman. An all-around good guy, Kevin was a dyed-in-the-wool optimist who refused to dwell on petty matters, though his cheerful disposition often masked an impatient streak. By the mid-1990s, Ryman was already an active member of the R.P.D., serving in an unspecified special division. His shooting skills were elite: around 1990s, he participated in the R.P.D.'s annual shooting tournament, finishing as the respectable runner-up. Between 1996 and 1997, Kevin made two separate applications to join the R.P.D.'s elite special forces division, the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.). He failed the highly selective physical and psychological tests both times, a setback that, while disappointing, never dampened his fundamental optimism. His standing as a top marksman was solidified by his signature sidearm. Because of his excellent relationship with Robert Kendo—the owner of Gun Shop Kendo who supplied weapons to S.T.A.R.S. and other R.P.D. units—Kevin commissioned a special custom weapon. This wasn't a Samurai Edge, but a heavily modified, competition-ready .45 Auto handgun, built specifically to his specifications for maximum stopping power and accuracy. The weapon was a personal gift from Kendo, recognizing Kevin’s exceptional skill despite his failure to make S.T.A.R.S.

The R.P.D. was only one part of Kevin’s life; the other was Jack's Bar, a local establishment where he became a regular. It was there that he met Cindy Lennox, one of the bar's waitresses. Cindy, known for her warm, caring nature and unflappable personality, provided a soothing counterpoint to Kevin’s occasional impatience. Over time, their professional relationship blossomed into a deep and affectionate romance. They became a familiar couple in the city, their steady relationship representing a small piece of normalcy amidst the quiet undercurrent of dread that was starting to infect Raccoon City. Their romance eventually cooled into a close, enduring friendship, marked by mutual respect and Kevin's continued patronage of the bar.

In 1998, Kevin was still working for his special division within the R.P.D. On September 23rd, the beginning of the T-Virus outbreak, Kevin's vacation request was officially approved by the R.P.D. After completing his work shift, and completely unaware of the catastrophe rapidly engulfing the city, he headed directly to his favorite place.

Kevin Ryman walked through the swinging doors of Jack's Bar, the familiar smell of stale beer and smoke offering a momentary sense of peace before his long vacation. He walked up to the counter, greeting the bartender with a nod.

"Pour me the usual," he requested, his eyes briefly scanning the room for any sign of Cindy before settling down to enjoy the first night of his break.