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Incident
Officer John Ayello died when he suffered a heart attack while making an arrest at the 300 Block of State Street in Hamburg.
Officer Ayello and another officer responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a suspect with outstanding warrants. While the suspect was being handcuffed, Officer Ayello suffered a heart attack. He was flown to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Survivors
Officer Ayello was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran who had been in law enforcement for 21 years and had founded several anti-drug youth groups in the area called "Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs." He is survived by his wife and three grown children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Ayello gave the Hamburg Borough Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hamburg community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Anthony Ayello served in the U.S. Navy (1964â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Hamburg Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
John is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 2000, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 2000, 8 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2000, 8 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 53. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
John was 53. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
John was 53. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 13.6%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Hamburg Borough Police Department, the 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
Hamburg Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Anthony Ayello served in the U.S. Navy (1964–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Anthony Ayello’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hamburg Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
