Wilkes-Barre Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Monday, December 7, 1964
Add to My HeroesJohn Zardeski
Patrolman John Zardeski suffered a fatal heart attack while driving home shortly after completing his eight-hour patrol shift.
Patrolman Zardeski had responded to a four-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Pennsylvania Avenue and North Washington Street near the end of his shift. As a result of the accident, two people had to be taken to the hospital. After clearing the scene of the accident Patrolman Zardeski returned to the station to complete the accident report and turned it into the Desk Sergeant before being cleared to go home. As he was returning home he suffered a fatal heart attack behind the wheel of his vehicle in the 400 blocks of Hazel Avenue crashing into two vehicles in the oncoming lane. The first officers who responded to the scene immediately recognized Patrolman Zardeski and administered oxygen at the scene and en route to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Patrolman Zardeski was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Wilkes-Barre Police Department for more than 17 years. He was survived by his wife and two step-children.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 17 years, 9 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Heart attack
Most Recent Reflection
View all 2 ReflectionsRest in peace always knowing that both you military and police service as well as your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
December 7, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024