Bio & Incident Details
Age: 26
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 8/13/1965
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Convicted of manslaughter
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Deputy Ronald Ludlow was shot and killed during the Watts Riots. Deputy Ludlow and other deputies were attempting to disperse a crowd from a liquor store that had been looted and set on fire. Shots were fired at the deputies as they attempted to protect the store. A car pulled up to the store and another deputy pointed the barrel at a suspect in the car while ordering the car to leave the area. The suspect grabbed the barrel of the shotgun and was able to take it away from the deputy. The suspect then fired the shotgun hitting deputy Ludlow in the stomach.
Deputy Ludlow was placed in a patrol car and died while being transported to a local hospital. Deputy Ludlow was the first fatality of the Watts Riots. As a result of the riots, the Los Angeles Police Department formed the world's first modern-day SWAT team.
Deputy Ludlow was survived by his wife and two children.
