Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Ridgeway was shot and killed during a miner's strike at the Latrobe & Connellsville Coal Company.
He had been assigned to the protect the belongings of a non-union miner who was moving from the Derry No. 1 mine to Snydertown. He had just passed through Loyolhanna when he was confronted by several union members who attempted to stop the wagon. A struggle ensued between Deputy Ridgeway and one of the miners, who produced a gun and shot him in the head, killing him.
The man who shot Deputy Ridgeway fled to LaSalle, Illinois, where he was arrested in February 1911. He was extradited back to Westmoreland County, convicted of murder, and sentenced to six years in prison.
Deputy Ridgeway was survived by his wife.
Two weeks after Deputy Ridgeway's murder Deputy Sheriff Charles Davidson was struck and killed by a train while fleeing striking miners who were attempting to attack him near the same mine.
Survivors
Deputy Ridgeway was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-60D28595- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ridgeway served with the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ridgeway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff George Ridgeway is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Ridgeway's cause is highlighted.
How George Ridgeway Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Ridgeway is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Ridgeway was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
