Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-EF1EA80C- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wentling served with the Greenville / West Salem Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wentling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Rodney K. Wentling 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 Greenville / West Salem Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rodney K. Wentling's cause is highlighted.
How Rodney K. Wentling Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rodney K. Wentling is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rodney K. Wentling was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Greenville / West Salem Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
