July 12, 2015
A Pennsylvania police officer died Sunday morning from injuries suffered during the pursuit of suspects in an attempted armed robbery.
Officer John Wilding of the Scranton Police Department was responding to a reported robbery attempt of a man on the 1300 block of Jackson Street around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.
Police say the three juvenile suspects were wielding a shotgun and were chased down by officers and apprehended.
According to the Scranton Times-Tribune, Wilding, 29, suffered a severe head injury after falling during the chase and was taken to Geissinger-Community Medical Center. The Associated Press reports that Wilding had fallen 15 feet while trying to jump a fence during the pursuit.
Police had asked for privacy for Wilding' family following his injury. The news of his death, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, was announced later that morning.
Heavy hearts at SPD. Officer John Wilding died early this morning as as a result of injuries suffered in line of duty.
— Scranton Police (@ScrantonPolice) July 12, 2015
17 yr olds charged at midnight w/ robbery, possession of firearm, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. pic.twitter.com/H5AfsXvuu8
— Scranton Police (@ScrantonPolice) July 12, 2015
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, a Scranton police officer had not died in the line of duty since 1937.
Wilding, a father of two daughters aged 3 and 7, joined the force in 2014. According to AP, Wilding's sister, Patrice, is a staff writer for the Scranton Times-Tribune and has also asked for privacy following Wilding's death.
