Roll of Honor
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.
Lieutenant Ventling was a U.S. Army veteran.
Lt. Ventling, On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) March 4th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-B45CA044- 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 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 Army (1950â1962) before joining law enforcement.
Lieutenant Orville Lee Ventling 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wyoming Department of Corrections, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orville Lee Ventling's cause is highlighted.
How Orville Lee Ventling Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville Lee Ventling is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville Lee Ventling was killed by edged weapon; shank.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wyoming Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
