John Ditkosky

Private John Ditkosky was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while conducting a traffic stop on U.S. Route 22, near Harrisburg, at 11:35 p.m. The driver of the tractor-trailer veered off the roadway, struck his patrol car, causing it to collide with the stopped vehicle and injure Private Ditkosky. A rookie private who was with Private Ditkosky and the driver of the stopped vehicle suffered minor injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer had driven from Bedford, Pennsylvania, to Brooklyn, New York., and was on a return trip back to Bedford when he fell asleep and struck Private Ditkosky. In September 1950, the driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Private Ditkosky was a United States Navy World War II veteran and had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for over three years.

He was survived by his wife of three months, parents, two brothers, and three sisters.