Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin awarded degree at King's College ceremony

Sep. 25—WILKES-BARRE — As the son of a retired New York City firefighter, the Rev. Thomas P. Looney, president of King's College, on Wednesday said he grew up knowing that the men and women in blue risk their lives every day at work.

Scranton police Detective Kyle Gilmartin, who was wounded in the line of duty in January 2024, was honored Tuesday evening and presented with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from King's College.

"It was a great joy to bestow Kyle his diploma," Looney said. "When Kyle was wounded in the line of duty and I learned that he needed less than a semester's credit to earn his diploma, our registrar, Kristen Lemoncelli went to work. I was happy to learn that the credits he earned at the police academy provided what he needed to complete his King's degree."

Gilmartin, 35, a Luzerne County native, is a 2008 graduate of Holy Redeemer High School and nine-year veteran of the Scranton Police Department. He graduated from the Lackawanna College Police Academy in 2010. Gilmartin also attended King's College from Fall 2008 through Spring 2012.

While Gilmartin went on to pursue a distinguished career in law enforcement following his graduation from the academy, Looney said a recent review of his transcripts revealed that his combined coursework at King's and Lackawanna College also made him eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from King's College.

The degree was awarded at a ceremony in the Sandra Dyczewski Maffei Gold Room in the King's College administration building. The event was attended by Gilmartin's family, the King's College Senior Cabinet, and several members of the Board of Directors.

"I appreciate everything this community has done for us," said Gilmartin after receiving his degree. "They kept us going. Thank you."

Gilmartin's father, William, graduated from King's College in 1979 with a history degree, and his brother, Ian, graduated in 2009 with an accounting degree.

"King's College has always been a place where multiple family members earn their degrees," Looney said. "Today was no exception, as Kyle joined his father and brother as King's alumni."

Gilmartin was shot twice in the head in the line of duty on Jan. 11, when he and fellow officers were ambushed in a gang-related shooting.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.