Pittston Area High School Alumni
Pittston, Pennsylvania (PA)
Alumni Stories
Rodney Pocceschi
Class of 1988
Rodney graduated 1988. He was an athlete in Track and Football. He went on to Bloomsburg University, studied Criminal Justice and became a Police Officer for Bloomsburg University. He met his sweetheart, Maria Badalato, from Berwick while in college. He wanted so much more in his career that Rodney decided to move to Virginia Beach, in 1999, and train to be a Police Officer. Rodney said training was like training for the navy seals. Rod passed all exams and started working as a Virginia Beach Police Officer on New Years Eve 1999. During his training, he took a weekend off to marry his sweetheart in Sept. 1999.
In October of 2002, Rod became a father to a boy, Carson Lawrence
Rod's career took off with numerous promotions. In 2003, he was promoted to Special Operations.
It was the morning of June 23, 2003 when a six-time convicted felon robbed an IHOP and sped down a highway. Rodney was sitting on a road, around 3:20 a.m., watching for speeders. He could have left his shift early to go back to the station and do his paperwork, but he didn't. This robber sped by Rodney. Rodney pulled him over. He didn't know the guy had just robbed a restaurant. This felon was out on an appeal for assaulting another VA Beach officer and then didn't show up for his hearing. A warrant was out for his arrest. This felon came out and shot Rodney. Rodney was wearing a vest but the gunshot went under his arm into his lungs. We don't know how but the adrenaline managed to keep Rodney standing to shoot back to injure and kill the felon. Rodney died instantly after he shot the felon.
Rodney left behind a widow and an 8 month son at the time. He left behind a mom and two older sisters.
We came to find that this felon was also wanted for his part in a robbery/murder at a gas station.
Rodney lost his life but took a bad criminal off the streets.
Rodney belongs on your wall of fame. His sisters carry on Rodney's work of helping the community. They formed Fallen Officers Remembered in memory of him.
Please always honor your law enforcement and thank them for putting their life on the line, everyday.
In October of 2002, Rod became a father to a boy, Carson Lawrence
Rod's career took off with numerous promotions. In 2003, he was promoted to Special Operations.
It was the morning of June 23, 2003 when a six-time convicted felon robbed an IHOP and sped down a highway. Rodney was sitting on a road, around 3:20 a.m., watching for speeders. He could have left his shift early to go back to the station and do his paperwork, but he didn't. This robber sped by Rodney. Rodney pulled him over. He didn't know the guy had just robbed a restaurant. This felon was out on an appeal for assaulting another VA Beach officer and then didn't show up for his hearing. A warrant was out for his arrest. This felon came out and shot Rodney. Rodney was wearing a vest but the gunshot went under his arm into his lungs. We don't know how but the adrenaline managed to keep Rodney standing to shoot back to injure and kill the felon. Rodney died instantly after he shot the felon.
Rodney left behind a widow and an 8 month son at the time. He left behind a mom and two older sisters.
We came to find that this felon was also wanted for his part in a robbery/murder at a gas station.
Rodney lost his life but took a bad criminal off the streets.
Rodney belongs on your wall of fame. His sisters carry on Rodney's work of helping the community. They formed Fallen Officers Remembered in memory of him.
Please always honor your law enforcement and thank them for putting their life on the line, everyday.
Recent Members
| Colleen Colleen Cadden | 1975 |
| David Maslar | 1976 |
| David Tarullo | 1974 |
| Elaine Owens | 1958 |
| Jackie Slagan Jackie Slagan | 2007 |
| John Mchale John Mchale | 1963 |
| Josh Hathaway | 2019 |
| Richard Banul Richard Banul | 1986 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Pittston Area High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Patriots lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
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Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!