NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa — York County is mourning after a deadly ambush at a farm in North Codorus Township left three police officers dead, two others critically wounded, and a community shaken. Authorities have identified the gunman as 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, a Hanover man with a troubled past and an apparent history of stalking his former girlfriend.
The violent encounter unfolded around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, as officers from the Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD) attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Ruth at a farm along Haar Road.
From Troubled Relationship to Deadly Standoff
Court documents reveal that the sequence of events began just one day earlier. On September 16, a woman reported to police that her ex-boyfriend — later identified as Ruth — had been seen in full camouflage, carrying binoculars and allegedly peering into her home.
The woman, who lives at the farm with her mother, told investigators that Ruth had never been invited to her property. Trail camera images showed a man believed to be Ruth carrying an AR-15 style rifle slung across his chest as he looked toward the residence.
Investigators also learned that weeks earlier, the woman’s truck had been set on fire in her driveway, though she had declined to pursue charges at the time.
Based on this evidence, officers filed charges against Ruth for stalking, prowling at night, and trespassing, obtaining both a restraining order and an arrest warrant. It was while attempting to serve this warrant that officers came under fire.
Ambush on Haar Road
According to investigators, Ruth was lying in wait when officers arrived at the farm Wednesday afternoon. Dressed in camouflage and concealed near a cornfield, he allegedly opened fire with a high-powered rifle, fatally shooting three officers before advancing toward the farmhouse, where two more officers were struck and critically wounded.
The confrontation ended when Ruth himself was fatally shot by law enforcement. Authorities stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the public, though the crime scene remains under heavy investigation spanning multiple locations across York County.
Fallen Officers Identified
At a Thursday morning press conference, York County District Attorney Tim Barker confirmed Ruth’s identity but stressed that the focus must remain on the officers and their families.
The three officers killed in the line of duty have been identified as:
- Detective Sergeant Cody Becker
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser
- Detective Mark Baker
Two other officers, including one from NYCRPD, remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition at WellSpan York Hospital.
In a deeply emotional statement, the Northern York County Regional Police Department said:
“Yesterday was a dark and heartbreaking day for the Northern York County Regional Police Department and for all of York County. We are devastated by the loss of three of our officers and continue to pray for the recovery of a fourth who remains hospitalized. We ask our community to keep these officers, their families, and their colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable grief.”
Leaders Respond to Tragedy
Governor Josh Shapiro called the shooting a devastating reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face.
“We grieve for the loss of three precious souls who served this county, this Commonwealth, and this country. We continue to pray for the full recovery of those who are dealing with their wounds. Yesterday was a devastating day for York County.”
Shapiro also called for a broader commitment to addressing mental health and reducing violence:
“This kind of violence isn’t OK. We need to help the people who think that picking up a weapon is the answer. We owe it to these officers to do better.”
Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher Paris confirmed that a Major Case Team has been convened to lead the investigation alongside federal partners.
“There are simply no words that can assuage the grief this community is enduring,” Paris said. “The grief will be unbearable, but together we will bear it.”
Community Support and Vigils
Communities across York County are already rallying to support the families of the fallen and wounded officers.
- A vigil will be held Thursday evening at Alliance Church in Spring Grove at 7 p.m. to honor the officers.
- The Hellam Township Police Department is collecting gift cards for groceries, gas, and restaurants to provide relief for the families.
- Moonlight Café in Dover announced a fundraiser on Tuesday, September 23, donating 20 percent of all sales and gift card purchases to the victims’ families.
The NYCRPD said details for an official donation portal will be released soon to ensure contributions go directly to those in need.
A County in Mourning
The deaths of Detective Sergeant Becker, Detective Emenheiser, and Detective Baker mark one of the darkest days in York County law enforcement history. This tragedy comes only months after Officer Andrew Duarte was killed in February while responding to a hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital.
For York County, the loss is staggering: four officers killed in the line of duty in 2025 alone.
As memorial flowers pile up outside police stations and communities prepare to gather in prayer, the weight of grief is heavy. But residents, leaders, and fellow officers remain committed to standing together in remembrance and resilience.
“We must ensure that something constructive comes from this tragedy,” Governor Shapiro urged. “Let it be in their memory that we stop this kind of violence in the future and protect those who protect us.”
This remains a developing story, and updates are expected as investigators continue their work.
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