THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE  Trooper Francis M. Tessitore Pennsylvania State Police Troop "B-2" 1932-1960

Biographical Info
Age: 28
Years of Service: 8 years 10 months

Incident Details
Cause of Death:  Vehicle Accident
Date of Incident: August 5, 1960


Francis M. Tessitore was born February 3, 1932, at Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.

Prior to enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police, he served in the US Navy from June 21, 1949, to March 26, 1953. Trooper Tessitore enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from Nesquehoning on October 2, 1953, and was assigned to Troop B-2, Turnpike Patrol. He was 21 years old and 5'10" tall.

At 11:55 a.m. on August 5, 1960, Trooper Tessitore had stopped a vehicle on the Turnpike in Chester County. He was in the process of arresting the operator for speeding. Trooper Tessitore was standing at the rear of the vehicle, preparing his arrest report, when a truck ran off the roadway. It struck both Trooper Tessitore and the stopped motorist. Both were killed instantly. The truck was operated by a 17 year old who had fallen asleep. He pleaded guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Trooper Tessitore is buried in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery, New Columbia, Nesquehoning. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Louise M. Tessitore, of New Columbus, Nesquehoning.

At 28, Trooper Tessitore had completed eight years and ten months of Pennsylvania State Police service.