Greenville / West Salem Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Monday, March 21, 1966
Add to My HeroesRodney K. Wentling
Patrolman Rodney Wentling was shot and killed while approaching a stolen vehicle occupied by three juveniles at a used car lot at 192 South Mercer Street at 1:15 am.
The boys were captured five hours later by state troopers in Corry, Pennsylvania, after a chase that ended when their stolen vehicle crashed.
The 15-year-old suspect who fired the fatal shot was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years on April 24, 1967.
Patrolman Wentling had served with the Greenville / West Salem Police Department for six months and had previously served three months with the St. Cloud Police Department in Florida. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
Rodney K. Wentling Park in Greenville is named in his honor.
Bio
- Age 22
- Tour 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to 10 to 20 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsRodney was a high school classmate (Greenville H.S., 1961) and I sometimes still think of him, 56 years later, in part because we shared the same birthday. I've had the privilege of living a full and rewarding life (with I hope some years yet to go), something that was denied him. JVW
high school classmate
high school classmate
March 9, 2022
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