.png)
In Omaha, Nebraska, a Catholic Deacon name John Zak, age 69, was murdered on March 11, 2026.
The police subsequently, on March 12, arrested a suspect. According to local news the suspect is the deacon's son Martin Zak, age 36. The parish wrote of the deacon:
For more than three decades Deacon Zak and his family have been part of the life of St. Peter Parish. For over twenty-five years he served here faithfully as a Deacon of the Church. During those many years he assisted at the altar, proclaimed the Gospel, preached the Word of God, baptized our children, witnessed marriages, and accompanied parishioners in times of both joy and sorrow. Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith.
Please pray especially for Mary, his wife, and for their children and family who bear the greatest burden of this loss. I ask the entire parish to remember them in your prayers and to support them with your charity in the days ahead.
Statement by Police:
Our officers’ thoughts are with the family of John Zak, who was murdered in Omaha on Wednesday night. John was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Outstanding investigative work by our detectives helped quickly identify a person of interest. When uniformed patrol officers spotted the individual Thursday morning, they pursued him until a person of interest was taken into custody, according to local news reports.
Our officers and detectives are committed to keeping Omaha safe from those who wish to do you and your family harm.
Our officers’ thoughts are with the family of John Zak, who was murdered in Omaha on Wednesday night. John was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Outstanding investigative work by our detectives helped quickly identify a person of interest. When uniformed patrol officers spotted the individual Thursday morning, they pursued him until a person of interest was taken into custody, according to local news reports.
Our officers and detectives are committed to keeping Omaha safe from those who wish to do you and your family harm.
The Archdiocese of Omaha released a statement Friday morning.
“I am saddened to learn of the tragic death of Deacon John Zak. Deacon Zak was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998, and he has served at St. Peter Church in Omaha. Deacon Zak also directed the parish’s youth group and served as a teacher in the parish catechism program. As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time.”
Archbishop Michael G. McGovern, Archdiocese of Omaha
Statement of ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH - Notice to the Parish
Dear Parishioners,
It is with deep sorrow that I must share tragic news with you. Yesterday our beloved Deacon John Zak died suddenly. His death is a great shock to his family and to our parish.
For more than three decades Deacon Zak and his family have been part of the life of St. Peter Parish. For over twenty-five years he served here faithfully as a Deacon of the Church. During those many years he assisted at the altar, proclaimed the Gospel, preached the Word of God, baptized our children, witnessed marriages, and accompanied parishioners in times of both joy and sorrow. Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith.
At a moment like this the weight of grief is very real. Yet the faith of the Church teaches us that death does not have the final word. Through Baptism we are united with Christ in his death so that we may also share in his Resurrection. We now entrust Deacon Zak to the mercy of God and pray that the Lord whom he served faithfully will receive him into the joy of eternal life.
Please pray especially for Mary, his wife, and for their children and family who bear the greatest burden of this loss. I ask the entire parish to remember them in your prayers and to support them with your charity in the days ahead.
As soon as funeral arrangements are known, we will share them with the parish. In the meantime, please remember Deacon Zak in your prayers and at Mass.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
In Christ,
Rev. John Broheimer
Comments