Deputy Ronald E. Ludlow
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Friday, August 13, 1965

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, August 13, 1965
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Convicted of manslaughter

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 Riot. As a result of the riots, the Los Angeles Police Department formed the world's first modern-day SWAT team.