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Orville Lee Ventling
Incident
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.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Orville is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Lieutenant Ventling served with the Wyoming Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wyoming, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Orville Lee Ventling served in the U.S. Army (1950â1962) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyoming Department of Corrections has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Orville is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Orville is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Orville 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 1975, 1 officer in WY was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orville was 43. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5.
Orville was 43. 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.
Orville was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 14.6% of these deaths in WY, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Wyoming Department of Corrections. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; shank, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; shank, in 2.4% 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 edged weapon; shank, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; shank, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Wyoming Department of Corrections has 3 officers remembered here, Orville among them.
Where
Military Service
Orville Lee Ventling served in the U.S. Army (1950–1962) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Orville Lee Ventling’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wyoming Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
