THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE  Private John A. Ditkosky Pennsylvania State Police Troop "A-2" 1922-1950

Incident Details

John A. Ditkosky was born August 29, 1922, at McAdoo, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

He served in the United States Navy for four years during World War II. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from McAdoo on May 1, 1947, and was assigned to Troop A-2, Harrisburg. He was 24 years old and 5'11" tall. At 10:35 p.m. on July 24, 1950, Private Ditkosky was on duty on U S Route 22, four miles east of Harrisburg. A truck driver who had fallen asleep struck Private Ditkosky's vehicle. He was killed instantly. The truck continued on, striking another vehicle.

Private Ditkosky is buried in Saint Gabriel's Cemetery, Hazleton. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Marie Ditkosky, of Hazleton. Mrs. Ditkosky later married Sergeant Thomas S. Fellin. At 27, Ditkosky had completed three years and two months of Pennsylvania State Police service.