July 13, 2015

John Wilding - a police officer who died in the line of duty - Scranton, Pennsylvania

Patrolman John Wilding, age 29, died in the line of duty on July 12, 2015, at a hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 
John Wilding

Patrolman Wilding was a member of the Scranton Police Department. He had 15 months of service. 

In the early morning hours of July 11, 2015, John and other officers responded to a call regarding an armed robbery attempt in West Scranton. Officers found 3 males in a vehicle and tried to stop them. However, the vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued.  During the chase, the males bailed out of their vehicle and fled. John pursued them on foot and came to a small fence behind a restaurant or bar. He jumped over the obstacle not knowing that there was a 15 foot drop. He seriously injured his head in the fall. 

John was rushed to a nearby hospital where tragically he succumbed to his injuries the next morning. 

Three 17 year old juveniles - Tanner Curtis, Nasiir Jones and Isiah Malik Edwards, have been arrested and have been charged as adults with robbery, weapons possession and other charges. 

These three males are innocent unless proven guilty.  However, we put this question to the thieves who ultimately caused John to lose his life: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

Regret can last a lifetime. 

A fundraising site has been established to help the family with upcoming expenses. 

Michael, Archangel, Patron Saint
of the Police, pray for John and
for those who have lost him.
The Scranton Police Department is in mourning over the death of their young brother. He had a passion for police work - working his beat, trying to fight crime and trying to help the people in the community. He had a future in law enforcement. He will be forever remembered.

Friends describe him as a caring man and a professional officer. He checked in with business owners on his beat and chatted to high schoolers on their way home from school.  He was a positive police presence in his district. He will be forever missed.

John's loved ones are devastated over his sudden and tragic death. He was the type of young man who would open doors for people and help old women carry their groceries. He did his best. He will be forever mourned.

John is survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members including but not limited to his mother, Mary; his sister, Patrice; his wife, Kristen; his 7 year old daughter and his 3 year old son.

Thank you for your service to the community, John.  

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who go to work and who die there.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

God save us from the thieves.  They are leading us to our deaths, Father. Amen. 

Pray that John is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

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