Incident
Patrolman John Wilding succumbed to injuries sustained the previous night at approximately 3:20 am while pursuing three juveniles who had stolen a vehicle.
The juveniles bailed out of the vehicle in the area of the 300 block of North Main Avenue with several officers, including Patrolman Wilding, chasing them on foot. Patrolman Wilding jumped over a small wall behind a restaurant at 301 North Main Avenue, not realizing that there was a 15-foot drop on the other side. He suffered a serious head injury as a result of the fall.
He was transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he remained until succumbing to his injuries early the next morning.
All three juveniles were arrested and charged as adults with robbery, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person. Additional charges were filed against all three defendants in 2017 while they were still in custody. They pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and were sentenced to 9-18 years in prison. One of the juveniles was granted parole in 2025.
Patrolman Wilding had served with the Scranton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Wilding gave the Scranton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Scranton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilding.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Scranton Police Department has lost 11 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 29. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
John was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36.4% of all 11 deaths at Scranton Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 25% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Scranton Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Ellis John Ellis Jan 28, 1889
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George D. Kent Jul 30, 1910
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Charles Berry
Aug 27, 1912
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Lewis William James
Jan 23, 1923
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John Loftus Jul 31, 1927
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Alvin Earl Brant
May 27, 1931
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Lewis Roberts
Apr 2, 1933
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Thomas O'Malley
Jul 3, 1933
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Albert Gleason
Dec 27, 1933
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William W. Harmer
Jan 23, 1937
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John James Wilding
Jul 12, 2015
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Scranton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.






