Bio & Incident Details
Age: 45
Tour: 20 years
Badge # 9914
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 1/24/1975
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Sentenced to life
· Leave a Reflection
· Add to My Heroes
· Update this memorial
Share this memorial:
Officer John Scala was shot and killed in a gun battle with two men outside of St. Lukes Hospital. He was escorting a hospital attendant with a bank deposit when the two men attempted to rob them. Officer Scala, shot through the heart, managed to return fire, wounding both suspects. One was arrested at the scene. The other suspect was arrested at another hospital when he went there to be treated for gunshot wounds that he said he got when he tried to stop a man from stealing his car.
Both suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. One was paroled May 14, 1997, and then deported. The other suspect has a parole hearing in September of 2013.
Officer Scala had served with the agency for over 20 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
