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 3 ReflectionsPatrolman Zardeski,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
December 7, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrol Deputy Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025

Sergeant Shiou Deng
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 23, 2025