Roll of Honor
Incident
Private John Broski was shot and killed while interviewing a witness in a murder case he was investigating. He was performing the interview in a restaurant near Wilkes-Barre. While inside two armed men entered and attempted to rob the place. As Private Broski complied with their orders to raise his hands he was shot in the back with a sawed-off shotgun. He succumbed to his wound the following day. The two suspects were captured in Philadelphia ten days later. They were convicted of Private Broski's murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 5, 1937. One of the suspects escaped from Eastern Penitentiary on October 27, 1943. Eleven days later he was shot and killed by state troopers in Chester, Pennsylvania. Private Broski had been with the agency for almost 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E2D9893A- 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.
Private Broski gave the Pennsylvania Motor Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Broski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private John J. Broski 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 Pennsylvania Motor Police, 3 of 9 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. John J. Broski's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Broski Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Broski is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Broski was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Pennsylvania Motor Police are honored on badge.nw.
