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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
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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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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Motor Police has lost 9 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 5 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 40. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 19.6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 19.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 19.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Pennsylvania Motor Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Motor Police has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Pennsylvania Motor Police are honored on badge.nw.
