A recent incident involving a Walmart employee in Colorado has been making waves across the internet. John Zalesky, a 67-year-old who worked at Walmart for nearly ten months, earned a reputation for his vigilance in combating shoplifters. His dedication to preventing thefts, alongside a coworker, led to the duo being affectionately nicknamed “Starsky & Hutch,” after the iconic TV crime-fighting pair.
Over the course of his employment, Zalesky reportedly thwarted over 100 shoplifting attempts, saving the company thousands of dollars in potential losses. However, despite his success in protecting the store’s assets, Zalesky was recently dismissed following a confrontation with a shoplifter, a decision that has sparked widespread discussion and controversy online.
Walmart fires employee after getting stabbed on duty
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During one of his routine shifts, Zalesky noticed a woman behaving suspiciously inside the store, and he decided to follow her outside to the parking lot. He then confronted her, believing she had hidden stolen items in her purse. As he tried to retrieve the suspected merchandise, a man who had been standing nearby suddenly intervened, attacking him with a knife and stabbing him in the forearm. The attacker attempted to stab him again but quickly fled the scene with the woman before inflicting further injury.
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However, a week later, Zalesky was summoned to a meeting with Walmart’s management. During this meeting, he was informed that his employment was being terminated. The official reason given was that he had violated the company’s policy on how to handle suspected shoplifting incidents.
Walmart’s management decision sparks controversy
Zalesky was devastated to lose his job. He voiced his disappointment, feeling that his commitment to doing what was right had ultimately cost him his means of livelihood.
In response to this unexpected setback, Zalesky has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with his living expenses as he seeks new employment opportunities. This initiative is aimed at providing him with financial support during this transitional period while he navigates the challenges of finding a new job.