U.S. Army · United States 
Elwood Ridge
1973
Elwood L. Ridge served the U.S. Army for 3 years.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Officer Elwood Ridge was shot and killed when he intervened in a domestic dispute while on patrol. While attempting to separate a man and his wife, the man grabbed Officer Ridge's handgun from his holster and shot him in the back. The next day, the shooter was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for throwing bottles at cars. He bragged to the Philadelphia police officer that he had killed a cop in New Jersey. The 23-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In 1995 the parole board notified no one when they approved his parole. The reaction of infuriated police and family members led the board to rescind his parole indefinitely. Officer Ridge was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Camden Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
Service Record
U.S. Army
1962 – 1965
Also Served
Camden Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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