Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Rich Janczewski was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in the woods near the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Airport. As he approached the vehicle, a man emerged from the woods. Patrolman Janczewski asked the man for identification. The man went to his car, produced a handgun, and began firing at Patrolman Janczewski. Patrolman Janczewski was struck once in the chest but, before collapsing, returned fire and wounded the suspect once. The suspect then walked over to Patrolman Janczewski and shot him in the head. The suspect then committed suicide. Patrolman Janczewski had served with the Avoca Borough Police Department for three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-0F2FDACC- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Janczewski served with the Avoca Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Avoca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Janczewski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Richard Gordon Janczewski 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Gordon Janczewski's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Gordon Janczewski Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Gordon Janczewski is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Gordon Janczewski was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Avoca Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.