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Incident
Sergeant Joseph Hojak suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after assisting other public safety personnel at the scene of a fire in the Kernville section of the city. After assisting at the scene he returned to the public safety building and collapsed. He was taken to Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Sergeant Hojak had served with the Johnstown Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Hojak gave the Johnstown Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Johnstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hojak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Johnstown Police Department has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Joseph is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 3 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1949, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1949, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 40. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Joseph was 40. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 40. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.1%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Johnstown Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Johnstown Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Johnstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
