In a disturbing turn of events, John Zalesky, a 68-year-old former Walmart employee from Aurora, Colorado, alleges that he was dismissed from his position after sustaining a stab wound while attempting to stop a shoplifter. The incident, which took place on August 11 at a Walmart in Centennial, has sparked outrage and raised questions about the company’s policies regarding employee safety and shoplifting.
On the day of the incident, Zalesky was working his usual shift when he noticed a woman allegedly stealing items from the store. Determined to stop the theft, he confronted the woman and asked to see a receipt for the goods in her bag. Instead of complying, the woman bolted for the exit, prompting Zalesky to follow her outside to her car.
“She wasn’t even denying it, she just took off,” Zalesky recounted. Frustrated by the constant thefts, he decided to take matters into his own hands. “I’ve had enough of this c**p. I’m done with these people stealing, this one’s going to end it,” he thought as he pursued the woman to her vehicle, a silver Toyota sedan parked in a handicapped spot near the store’s entrance.
As Zalesky approached the vehicle, he quickly realized the situation was more dangerous than he anticipated. The woman jumped into the driver’s seat, and a male accomplice, who had been waiting in the car, attacked Zalesky with a knife. The assailant stabbed Zalesky in the left forearm, leaving a small but painful gash. Although the injury wasn’t severe enough to require immediate medical attention, the encounter left Zalesky shaken.
“I don’t worry too much about it,” he said of the wound. “If it was serious, I’d have taken it more [seriously].” Despite his injury, Zalesky declined to go to the hospital, opting instead to bandage the wound himself.
The following week, Zalesky was called into a meeting with the store’s assistant manager, where he received shocking news—he was being let go from his position. The reason? Walmart’s corporate policy strictly prohibits employees from following shoplifters out of the store.
“They said, ‘We just don’t have a choice, it comes from corporate,’” Zalesky recalled. “I was disgusted. Nobody had ever attempted to stop me from what I was doing before—hell, they were glad.”
Zalesky expressed his disappointment and frustration with the decision, especially considering his track record of preventing thefts and saving the company thousands of dollars in lost merchandise. “You save them thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars of merchandise being stolen. And you have one thing, with a little bitty stab wound, and you fire the guy for it?”
With his job abruptly terminated, Zalesky now faces an uncertain financial future. Struggling to make ends meet, he has turned to the community for support, launching a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his rent and bills. As of this writing, the campaign has raised $1,755 of its $10,000 goal.
In the campaign description, Zalesky wrote, “I don’t know how I am going to pay my rent and bills cause not many places want to hire a 68-year-old man. I am seeking your help until I can find some more income again and want to thank everyone.”
The former Walmart employee’s situation has garnered sympathy and support from many who are outraged by the circumstances surrounding his dismissal. Zalesky himself is heartbroken by the loss of a job he had hoped to keep for another decade. “I looked to work there for 10 years, then hopefully retire and enjoy life. But you’re trying to do the right thing, and you get slapped for it. That’s what’s most perturbing about it.”
Zalesky’s story has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between employee safety and corporate policies on shoplifting. While companies like Walmart implement strict guidelines to protect employees from potential harm, these policies can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, as seen in Zalesky’s case.
Critics argue that Walmart’s decision to fire Zalesky sends a troubling message—that employees who go above and beyond to protect company assets might not be protected or appreciated in return. On the other hand, proponents of the policy emphasize the importance of minimizing risk and ensuring that employees do not put themselves in dangerous situations.
Meanwhile, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for the suspects involved in the attack. According to the authorities, both suspects are white and in their 30s, with the female suspect described as having purple hair. The vehicle they used, an early 2000 model silver Toyota sedan, had no license plates, making the search more challenging.
The sheriff’s office shared details of the incident on social media, urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
John Zalesky’s experience is a stark reminder of the challenges and risks that retail employees face daily. As he navigates this difficult time, his story highlights the need for a reevaluation of how companies handle shoplifting incidents and protect their employees. While corporate policies are essential for maintaining safety, there must also be room for acknowledging the dedication and bravery of workers like Zalesky, who put themselves in harm’s way to do the right thing.
