Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Peter Petynko was shot and killed in Alden, Pennsylvania, while attempting to arrest a man who had just shot at another man.
The subject and his friends had been become engaged in an argument while drinking moonshine and breaking windows out of houses in the area. The man remonstrated against what they were doing and was attacked by the friends.
The man then went home at 136 Gruver Street, obtained his revolver, and returned to the scene where he fired at one of the friends. The man he fired at ran from the scene and told Patrolman Petynko. When Patrolman Petynko located the subject and tried to arrest him he was shot once in the chest.
The subject then fled from the area and returned home, where he was arrested a short time later. He pleaded guilty to murdering Patrolman Petynko and was sentenced 10-20 years in prison.
Patrolman Petynko had only served with the Newport Township Police Department for one week.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-42AA16E5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Petynko served with the Newport Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nanticoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Petynko.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Peter Petynko is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Newport Township Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter Petynko's cause is highlighted.
How Peter Petynko Compares
Offender Outcome
sentenced 10-20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter Petynko is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter Petynko was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newport Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
