Fallen Hero Sergeant John J. Novabilski (04/26/95)

Sgt. John Novabilski

      Let us pause to remember our Fallen Hero, Sergeant John J. Novabilski, lost this day in 1995 in an unprovoked ambush in George Sector.

       Sgt. Novabilski was born on April 25, 1964 in Old Forge, Pennsylvania.  He joined the Prince George's County Police Department on August 1, 1988 after serving three years with the Baltimore City Police Department.  Upon completion of his Academy training, Sgt. Novabilski was assigned to the District III Station.  He subsequently served at the District II Station before being transferred to District VI.

       On the evening of April 26, 1995, Sgt. Novabilski was working a secondary employment assignment at Palmer's Restaurant at 7222 Martin Luther King, Jr. Hwy. in Kentland, Maryland.  He was sitting in his marked police vehicle when the suspect approached him from behind and, without warning, opened fire with a MAC-11 assault weapon.  Sgt. Novabilski was struck eleven times in the head and upper body.  He was rushed to Prince George's Hospital Center where he was pronounced deceased.

       Sgt. Novabilski served the Prince George's County Police Department for seven years and was the 21st member of this Agency to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.  He was the 32nd law enforcement officer to give his life while serving this Profession within Prince George's County, Maryland.

       At the time of his death, Sergeant John J. Novabilski was 31 years old and survived by his wife.