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An autopsy Monday revealed that Scranton Police Officer John J. Wilding died as a result of blunt force head trauma, and his death has been ruled a homicide by Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland.

Wilding, 29, a police officer in Scranton for one year, died early Sunday morning at Geisinger Community Medical Center from head injuries he suffered when he climbed over a fence and fell about 15 feet behind a building on North Main Avenue, Scranton.

Wilding suffered the fatal injuries early Saturday morning while pursuing three 17-year-olds suspected in an armed robbery on Jackson Street.

State police at Dunmore have charged Nasir Sheldon Jones, Tanner Curtis, both of Scranton, and Isiah Malik Edwards, address listed as homeless, as adults with robbery-related offenses.

Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said the three juveniles may face additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation by state police.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered the Commonwealth flag in the Capitol Complex and at Commonwealth facilities in Lackawanna County lowered to half-staff in honor of Wilding.

“Today, we lower the Commonwealth flag to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Officer Wilding. I invite all Pennsylvanians to participate in this tribute to pay respect to a fallen hero,” Wolf stated.

The state flag will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Wilding’s burial.

Wilding was the first police officer hired Scranton mayor William Courtright, who took office in January 2014, the mayor said.

Courtright described Wilding as a “dedicated professional, who truly cared about the City of Scranton, its citizens and their safety.”

“He is a hero, who paid the ultimate sacrifice by losing his life in the line of duty,” Courtright stated. “Words cannot express the debt of gratitude that all Scrantonians owe him and his family.”

Wilding leaves behind a wife and two children.

Like Wolf, Courtright ordered all flags in Scranton be lowered to half-staff.

Wilding was involved in the pursuit of Jones, Curtis and Edwards who were arrested in the area where he was fatally injured.

State police allege Jones, Curtis and Edwards occupied a stolen Chevrolet Blazer involved in an attempted armed robbery just before 3 a.m. Saturday.

Jones exited the Chevrolet with a shotgun he aimed at another man walking along Jackson Street. Jones told the robbery victim, “Give me all your (expletive),” according to the criminal complaints.

When the victim said he didn’t have anything to give, Jones reached into his pockets he turned inside-out. While Jones was robbing the victim, Curtis moved into the driver’s seat and yelled out, “Get the (expletive) in the car or I’m going to leave you,” the complaints say.

About 10 minutes after the attempted robbery, Scranton police spotted the Chevrolet on the North Scranton Expressway traveling toward center city.

By this time, Jones was driving the vehicle. Jones failed to stop for police and crashed into a stone wall on Lafayette Street where they abandoned the vehicle, according to the complaints.

Jones was arrested on North Decker Court, Edwards was taken into custody behind The Vault Bar on North Main Avenue and Curtis was arrested in front of the tavern.

State police said the Chevrolet was stolen from a residence on Orchard Street, Scranton. A shotgun, an airsoft pistol, a box of 25 shotgun shells and gloves were allegedly found in the Chevrolet, the complaints say.

Jones was charged with two counts of robbery, and one count each of possession of a firearm by a minor, terroristic threats, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He remained jailed Monday at the Lackawanna County Prison for lack of $175,000 bail.

Edwards was charged with robbery, possession of firearm by a minor, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. He was jailed for lack of $175,000 bail.

Curtis was charged with robbery, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. He was jailed for lack of $150,000 bail.

Wilding
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_WILDING1.jpeg.optimal.jpegWilding

By Ed Lewis

[email protected] and Roger DuPuis

[email protected]

FUNDS SET UP

Two funds have been established to help Wilding’s family. Donations can be made to:

• Officer John Wilding Memorial Fund, C/O Fidelity Bank, 338 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503 or any Fidelity Bank branch.

• Online at http://www.gofundme.com/z6u3u8, which was set up by a Scranton police officer and sponsored by the PA FOP E.B. Jermyn Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #2.

Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis.

Reach Roger DuPuis at 570-991-6113 or on Twitter @rogerdupuis2.