Private John A. Ditkosky

John A. Ditkosky

Private John Ditkosky was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while conducting a traffic stop on U.S. Route 22, near Harrisburg. The driver of the tractor-trailer veered off the roadway struck his patrol car, causing it to strike the stopped vehicle and 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 drove from Bedford, Pennsylvania, to Brooklyn, New York., and was on a re-turn trip back to Bedford when he fell alseep and struck Private Ditkosky. In September 1950, the driver pleaded guilty to involuntary mansluaghter and was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

Private Ditkosky had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for little more than three years and had served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was survived by his wife.