Inmate's death in Cumberland ends case with local connection

CUMBERLAND — The investigation by Maryland State Police into the death of a state prison inmate in Allegany County will close what began as a triple-homicide in Salisbury 52 years ago.

Ralph M. Ruark, 80, and inmate at Western Correctional Institution, was declared deceased by emergency medical service personnel on June 22 and his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the cause of death.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is leading the investigation with assistance from investigators with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ Internal Investigative Unit.

Glenda Smack Ruark, 25, had been separated from her 28-year-old husband for some 10 months. On Saturday, Oct. 14, 1972 while working at the Salisbury Mall Bookstore Ralph Ruark entered the store and shot her dead with a .22-caliber handgun. He was apprehended moments later by mall security.

Newspaper reports from that time state that when police went to Glenda Ruark’s parent’s home to inform them of her death, her father, 53-year-old Glen was found shot and her mother Louise, 49, had been bludgeoned, with both deceased at the scene.

All three were buried at Wicomico Memorial Park following a large funeral at  Bethesda United Methodist Church. Glenda was a James M. Bennett Senior High School graduate and her father worked for Dresser Industries. Her mother was active  at church, and enjoyed playing the piano.

Ralph Ruark would spend the rest of his life incarcerated, including years as an inmate at Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover.

Once the investigation in Cumberland is completed the information will be presented to the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.