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John H. Harenski
Incident
Deputy Constable John Harenski was shot and killed just before 9:00 pm, as he attempted to arrest a burglary suspect on Herminie West Newton Road in Sewickley Township near Herminie Borough.
Deputy Constable Harenski was on duty directing traffic for a local teenager dance party when he was notified of a burglary in progress at a local food and feed store. As Deputy Constable Haresnki and a civilian were searching the feed store, the subject fled the scene on foot. Deputy Constable Harenski returned to his vehicle and spotted the subject near the scene of the burglary. As he attempted to place the subject into custody, the subject produced a handgun and shot Deputy Constable Harenski three times, rendering him unconscious. Local teenagers returning home from the dance party spotted Deputy Constable Harenski in the middle of the road with his handcuffs and revolver near him. They rendered aid to him till responding officers and additional medical attention were given to him. He was unable to speak and died en route to Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.
Early in the investigation, it was thought that Deputy Constable Harenski was killed with his service weapon, and it was ruled out as a possibility the next day. The murder of Deputy Constable Haresnki was an unsolved homicide with no witnesses to the shooting and with only a description of the subject from teenagers who he scared while running from the scene of the shooting, a couple of blocks away.
In April 1959, a 19-year-old subject confessed to the killing of Deputy Constable Harenski after his father admitted to a friend that his son was involved. The very next day after admitting his son's involvement in the murder of Deputy Constable Harenski, his father committed suicide by drowning himself in a local reservoir. The suspect had been interviewed by investigators within weeks of the murder of Deputy Constable Harenski and denied owning the weapon used in the shooting. On April 15, 1959, the subject was officially charged with homicide and was identified by the teenagers at the scene. The suspect pleaded not guilty, claiming the killing of Deputy Constable Harenski was accidental. He was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 6-12 years at the Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh.
Deputy Constable Harenski served with the Pennsylvania State Constable - Westmoreland County for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Harenski gave the Pennsylvania State Constable 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Harenski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania State Constable - Westmoreland County has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 1 officer in PA was killed feloniously, the 120th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 56. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Westmoreland County. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 1.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania State Constable - Westmoreland County has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Westmoreland County are honored on badge.nw.