Pa. Police Ambush that Killed 3 Officers among Deadliest in Country

By Zahriah Balentine

Source pennlive.com

The fatal ambush in York County that killed three detectives and wounded two others joins a tragic list of the deadliest attacks on law enforcement across the nation.

The mass shooting happened after officers responded to a farmhouse Wednesday afternoon on Haar Road in North Codorus Township to arrest a suspect for stalking his ex-girlfriend the night before, police said

Officials said Matthew J. Ruth, 24, of Penn Township, near Hanover, had broken into her home Wednesday after his ex and her mom left, and was lying in wait around 2:10 p.m. when officers arrived and opened the door.

Ruth died after a firefight that lasted more than two minutes.

The incident is the latest example of violence officers can face in the line of duty. Before Mark Baker, Cody Becker and Isaiah Emenheiser were killed in York County, FBI data showed at least 40 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the U.S. so far this year.

Last year, at least 64 officers were killed in attacks.

Many of the deadliest attacks against police across the country share similarities with what happened this week in central Pennsylvania, with officers being ambushed.

Here are the deadliest attacks on police in the last 25 years across the nation, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C.

Charlotte, North Carolina

• When: April 29, 2024
• 4 officers killed
• What happened: Four police officers, including a Deputy U.S. Marshal, were shot while trying to serve a felony arrest warrant. The suspect fired upon the officers sparking a gun battle. Three officers died at the scene and another officer died hours later. 

Allen, Kentucky

• When: June 30, 2022
• 3 officers killed
• What happened: Three officers and a K-9 were killed when they attempted to serve a court-issued emergency protection warrant. The suspect used a rifle to fire multiple rounds at the officers when they arrived. The suspect was taken to custody after a barricade situation and was charged with multiple counts of murder.

Dallas, Texas

• When: July 7, 2016
• 5 officers killed
• What happened: Five officers were shot and killed in an ambush attack at the end of a protest in Dallas. The suspect fired at officers on the street doing their jobs and was later killed during a standoff with police that involved more than 200 rounds of gunfire.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• When: July 17, 2016
• 4 officers killed
• What happened: A gunman ambushed police as they responded to a 911 call of a man with a gun walking along a roadway, which was less than a mile from police headquarters in Baton Rouge. The suspect, identified as Gavin Long, was killed at the scene by responding officers.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

• When: Dec. 28, 2015
• 3 officers killed
• What happened: Three officers were shot and killed by another member of the Puerto Rico Police Department. The suspect had begun to argue with his lieutenant when he became combative and took three officers hostage in the lieutenant’s office. When SWAT Team members attempted to negotiate, the suspect opened fire on the three hostages, who died at the scene. 

Lakewood, Washington

• When: Nov. 29, 2009
• 4 officers killed
• What happened: A gunman ambushed four officers sitting preparing incident reports in a coffee shop while on duty. The suspect was killed during an early morning confrontation with a Seattle officer two days after the attacks, according to a report from the Seattle Times.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• When: April 4, 2009
• 3 officers killed
• What happened: A suspect opened fire on police responding to a domestic disturbance 911 call at a home. The gunman is on death row after being convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, WTAE reported.

Oakland, California

• When: March 21, 2009
• 4 officers killed
• What happened: Two police officers were shot and killed during a traffic stop. The driver fled on foot, and barricaded himself in an apartment. Two other SWAT officers were killed by the suspect after they responded to the apartment. 

Odessa, Texas

• When: Sept. 8, 2007
• 3 officers killed
• What happened: Three officers were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect had blocked the front door entrance of the residence so both officers went to the back of the residence to gain access. As the officers attempted to enter the residence, the suspect shot both men multiple times. Two officers died at the scene, the other officer died four days later. 

New York City

• Date: Sept. 11, 2001
• 72 officers killed
• Although the terrorist attack weren’t aimed specifically at police, it’s considered the deadliest day in U.S. law enforcement history, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

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