Patrolman Rodney K. Wentling, Greenville / West Salem Police Department, Pennsylvania

Patrolman Rodney K. Wentling

Greenville / West Salem Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Monday, March 21, 1966

Add to My Heroes

Rodney 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

stolen vehicle

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 13 Reflections

Rodney 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