Officer George Neal Ramsburg

George Neal Ramsburg

Officer George Ramsburg was shot and killed during a hijacking attempt when he confronted a hijacker at one of the gates at Baltimore Washington International Airport.

The suspect intended to hijack a plane and crash it into the White House in an attempt to kill President Richard Nixon. After shooting Officer Ramsburg the suspect entered a commercial airline flight and ordered the pilot to take off. When the pilot refused the suspect opened fire, killing the co-pilot and wounding the pilot. The suspect then took one of the passengers as a hostage.

Another officer arrived on the scene and shot the suspect through one of the airplane's windows, striking him in the chest. The hostage then broke free and the suspect committed suicide.

Officer Ramsburg had served with the Maryland Aviation Administration Police Department for 11 months. Officer Ramsburg was survived by his parents, sister, and two brothers.