​Trooper First Class Ridge was shot disarming a deranged man. Two tax assessors had reported to the property of Steve Orris to value it. Mr. Orris met them with a rifle and fired a shot. Trooper First Class Ridge was called to the scene. He tried to disarm Orris and a scuffle took place. Ridge obtained possession of the rifle, but Orris pulled a revolver and shot Ridge five times at close range. Occurred at the Orris home on Northern Avenue, north of Hagerstown.​