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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville / West Salem Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Rodney is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1966, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rodney was 22. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Rodney had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rodney was 22. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rodney had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rodney had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Greenville / West Salem Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville / West Salem Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Rodney among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Greenville / West Salem Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
