NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A quiet rural community in York County was left reeling this week after a deadly ambush claimed the lives of three police detectives and critically wounded two other officers. Authorities say the gunman, 24-year-old Matthew Ruth of Hanover, opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle on law enforcement officers who had come to serve an arrest warrant in connection with a stalking investigation.

A Deadly Encounter

On the afternoon of September 17, detectives with the Northern York County Regional Police Department, supported by a York County sheriff’s deputy, arrived at the home of Ruth’s ex-girlfriend to search for him. The woman had reported the previous night that Ruth had been lurking outside the house armed with a rifle. Prosecutors later confirmed that an arrest warrant for stalking and trespass had been issued that morning.

As officers entered the residence, which had been left unlocked, they were met with a barrage of gunfire. Ruth, positioned inside with a rifle equipped with a suppressor, unleashed dozens of rounds in a sudden ambush. Within seconds, four detectives were struck. A sheriff’s deputy who responded alongside them was also hit during the exchange.

Officials described the incident as a “murderous rampage” that unfolded in less than two minutes. In the chaos, one surviving detective returned fire, fatally shooting Ruth and immediately calling for aid to the fallen officers.

The Fallen Officers

Authorities identified the three slain detectives as Sgt. Cody Becker, 39; Detective Mark Baker, 53; and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, 43. All were veteran members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department. A fourth detective remains in critical condition, while the sheriff’s deputy is being treated for serious injuries.

“These men were ambushed in the line of duty while carrying out the most difficult responsibilities of policing — protecting victims of domestic violence,” York County District Attorney Timothy Barker said at a press briefing. “Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

A Pattern of Escalation

Court records paint a disturbing picture of Ruth’s escalating behavior in the weeks before the shooting. His ex-girlfriend reported that she believed he had set fire to her truck in August, though she declined to pursue a full investigation at the time. Afterward, she and her mother installed a trail camera, which captured images of Ruth in camouflage with a rifle slung across his chest as he peered into the home.

Officials confirmed that Ruth had no prior criminal convictions that would have prohibited him from owning firearms. Prosecutors say he had been charged with stalking, loitering, and trespass but had not yet been taken into custody.

During a search of the home following the shootout, police also found a Labrador belonging to Ruth’s ex-girlfriend dead in the basement, allegedly killed by Ruth before the ambush.

Statewide Mourning and Tributes

The deaths of the three detectives marked one of the darkest days for York County law enforcement in recent memory. Police departments across Pennsylvania lowered their flags and sent officers to participate in a solemn procession honoring the fallen. Residents lined the streets, saluting as ambulances carried their bodies from the scene.

Governor Josh Shapiro, speaking after meeting with the families of the wounded officers, praised the courage of law enforcement. “They ran toward danger to keep others safe,” Shapiro said. “Those who serve and protect our Commonwealth are the best of us.”

Northern York County Police Chief Dave Lash called the incident “a brutal ambush” and emphasized the heroism of the detective who stopped the gunman. “Had he not acted, we cannot imagine how much worse this tragedy could have been,” Lash said.

The Broader Crisis of Domestic Violence

District Attorney Barker stressed that while many questions remain about Ruth’s motives, one truth is already clear: the violence was rooted in domestic abuse. “Domestic violence is the hateful scourge that brought law enforcement to that home,” Barker said.

Advocates say the tragedy underscores the dangers police face when responding to volatile domestic situations. It also highlights how stalking behavior, if left unchecked, can escalate into deadly violence.

Moving Forward

Pennsylvania State Police are leading the investigation, which includes additional search warrants and examinations of Ruth’s property. Officials say they are working to determine how Ruth obtained his weapons and whether warning signs were overlooked.

As York County mourns, the community is preparing funerals for three detectives who gave their lives in service. Their deaths join a growing list of officers nationwide who have been killed while responding to domestic violence — a reminder of both the personal risks officers face and the urgent need to confront patterns of abuse before they explode into tragedy.