Police Officer Elwood L. Ridge, Camden Police Department, New Jersey

Police Officer Elwood L. Ridge

Camden Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Monday, July 2, 1973

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Elwood L. Ridge

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. He was survived by his expectant wife.

Bio

Age 29
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

domestic

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Officer Ridge,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 2, 2023