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Incident
Patrolman Edward Riebsamen was shot and killed while assisting a constable and a Luzerne County sheriff's deputy serve eviction papers at a home that had just been sold in a sheriff's sale. The home was located in a settlement known as Poke Hollow, in Larksville.
The constable and deputy had requested assistance from the Wilkes-Barre Police Department after encountering resistance from the family in the home the previous day. Patrolman Riebsamen was sent with the officers to assist them with evicting the family.
As the officers entered the yard upon returning with Officer Riebsamen, the family attacked them again and starting throwing items at them. When Patrolman Riebsamen attempted to arrest one of the female family members two of her brothers opened fire with shotguns from the second floor window, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.
Patrolman Riebsamen had served with the Wilkes-Barre Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
151 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Riebsamen gave the Wilkes-Barre Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilkes-Barre community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilkes-Barre Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1875, 2 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1875, 28 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1875, 32 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 156th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 38. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Edward had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Wilkes-Barre Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wilkes-Barre Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
