On August 22, 1976, John Ridenour, a 20-year-old gas station attendant, was shot and killed during a robbery at the Sunoco gas station where he worked in Franklin, Ohio. The incident occurred between 1:00 p.m. and 1:40 p.m., when unknown individuals entered the station. Despite evidence suggesting that Ridenour did not resist, he was fatally shot by the perpetrators. He died at the scene before any medical assistance could arrive.
John Ridenour was working at the gas station located at 1311 East Second Street in Franklin, Warren County. The case remains unsolved, and law enforcement continues to seek information from the public. The Franklin Police Department has been involved in the investigation, but no suspects have been identified. Ridenour's death marked a tragic moment for his family and the community, who were left shocked by this senseless act of violence.
Authorities have appealed for anyone with additional information to come forward, as his case remains listed among Ohio's cold cases. The Ohio Attorney General's Office, through their cold case initiative, continues to highlight John Ridenour's case in hopes of finding new leads that might bring those responsible to justice.
