Roll of Honor
Incident
Private Fessler was shot and killed while assisting Montour County deputies arrest a drunken man who had been terrorizing his family. As they approached the home the man opened fire, wounding Private Fessler. The deputies returned fire, wounding the suspect. Private Fessler succumbed to his wounds the following day. The 51-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On February 23, 1940, the day before he was to be executed, he shot and killed himself in the Montour County Jail. The sheriff said eight members of his family had visited him earlier and he suspected that one of them slipped him the .32 caliber pistol. Private Fessler had been with the agency for four years.
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BO-US-PA-5F914EC8- Stewardship
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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.
Private Fessler gave the Pennsylvania State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Fessler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private John E. Fessler is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pennsylvania State Police, 34 of 87 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Fessler's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Fessler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Fessler is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Fessler was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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