Wyoming Department of Corrections, Wyoming
End of Watch Tuesday, March 4, 1975
Add to My HeroesOrville Lee Ventling
Lieutenant Orville Ventling was stabbed to death by two inmates in the recreation room at the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Carbon County.
One of the inmates attacked the lieutenant with a pool cue when he entered the recreation room. The second inmate then started stabbing him with a shank made out of a knife sharpener that had he concealed in his clothing. Lieutenant Ventling was stabbed 14 times and died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Both inmates, 27 and 28, were charged with his murder. One inmate pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. The second inmate was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He was given a new trial in 1977 by the Wyoming Supreme Court. He was sentenced to life. As of October 29, 2022, he was in prison.
Lieutenant Ventling was a U.S. Army veteran.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 2 Reflections“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
November 24, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023

Detective Jacob Beu
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 7, 2023

Police Officer Robert Shisler
Deptford Township Police Department, NJ
EOW: May 7, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Kaitie Leising
St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, WI
EOW: May 6, 2023