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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sonny Kuhar died as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Cambria County Human Services and 911 building in Ebensburg.
Deputy Kuhar had served in law enforcement for 60 years, starting in 1960. Prior to joining the Cambria County Sheriff's Office in the 1980s he had served with the Vintondale Borough Police Department, Nanty Glo Borough Police Department, and Blacklick Township Police Department.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff John J. Kuhar Jr. died on November 28, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 79.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 2 at Cambria County Sheriff's Office.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Kuhar gave the Cambria County Sheriff's Office 60 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ebensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kuhar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Cambria County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 121 officers lost to illness in PA, 9.6% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 9 officers in PA were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 66.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
John was 79. Of the 121 lost to illness in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 39.
John was 79. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51.
John was 79. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49.
When
November holds 9.9% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 49.6%. Saturdays: 12.4%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cambria County Sheriff's Office.
Illness deaths account for 9.6% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Cambria County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cambria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
