Officer Patrick McDonald
It's been less than three weeks since the death of Officer Isabel Nazario of the Philadelphia Police, so it is with a heavy heart that I tell you that it's happened again - today.
Highway Patrol Officer Pat McDonald was killed in a gunfight w/ a POS. The POS had a lengthy record, which comes as no surprise. McDonald's partner, Highway Patrol Officer Richard Bowes was also shot. He is expected to make a full recovery, at least physically.
The POS who shot both McDonald and Bowes is no longer with us, thankfully. He has been exterminated.
I would also like to mention how much of a class act the NYPD is. They flew McDonald's sister from NYC to Temple Hospital so she could be with her family. Way to go, NYPD and thank you.
Prayers sent to the family of Officer McDonald and those in the Philadelphia Police Department. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
R.I.P. Officer McDonald
Prayers also for Officer Bowes for a speedy recovery.
Here is the story from KWY1060.com
2 Police Officers Shot in North Philadelphia, 1 Fatally; Suspect Killed at Scene
KYW Newsradio Team Coverage
by Michelle Durham, Tony Hanson, and Paul Kurtz
Two Philadelphia police officers were shot early Tuesday afternoon in North Philadelphia during a shootout with a suspect. One of them, Patrick McDonald, an eight-year veteran of the force, died a short time later at Temple Hospital. A suspect was killed at the scene.
According to investigators, shots were fired about 1:45pm in the 2200 block of North Colorado Street, near 17th and Susquehanna, during a foot pursuit.
Officials say a suspect, identified by sources as Daniel Giddings, was killed at the scene. The two officers -- both highway patrolmen -- were transported to Temple University Hospital.
Officer Patrick McDonald died about 2:10pm after being listed in extremely critical condition with a gunshot wound of the chest. The other officer, Richard Bowes, was shot in the hip; his condition was listed as stable and his wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.
McDonald, 30, was an eight-year veteran of the force and a graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School. Bowes, 35, is a 12-year veteran of the force.
KYW Newsradio has learned Daniel Giddings, the suspect in the shooting, was a wanted man.
Sources say Giddings was wanted on two open warrants: the first, for violating parole after serving a six- to twelve-year sentence for robbery, aggravated assault, and a gun offense stemming from a 1998 crime; the second, for assaulting police after being stopped in a stolen car.
In that more recent case, he allegedly fled, but then assaulted police who were chasing him. It has been described as a very violent confrontation from which Giddings escaped. He was still on the run when Officer McDonald stopped him.
Police says Giddings emptied his .45 caliber weapon, killing McDonald and wounding Bowes.
An angry Mayor Nutter made a short statement at the hospital after Officer McDonald's death was announced:
"We are deeply saddened, we are hurt, we are in pain, and we are very angry about what's going on in our city. We will not stand for it, and we will protect our officers every step along the way."
He said that he and the police department will aggressively pursue those who think that engaging in a shootout with police is a viable option.
KYW's Mike Dunn reports that city officials decided late Tuesday afternoon to go ahead with the evening's free concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra at City Hall despite the death of Officer McDonald.
Melanie Johnson, a top aide to the mayor, says that after consulting with the police commissioner, the FOP, and the orchestra, the decision was made to proceed.
The concert, she says, will be a tribute not just to the slain and wounded officers, but to other officers as well.
Mayor Nutter was expected to speak at the concert, which was scheduled to begin at 7pm at Dilworth Plaza.
It is the orchestra's first concert at City Hall.
You can offer condolences to the PPD here at Domelights.com, the unofficial police forum, and you can also offer condolences at this link here, which is a Philly.com guest book.
Also blogging:
SYLG: Wyatt Earp
PPD LODD since 2005 here at Philly.com
There's a better outline below.
TIMELINE: Violence against Philly officersTuesday, September 23, 2008 3:04 PM September 23, 2008 (WPVI)
An outline of recent violence against officers in the city of Philadlephia.
September 23, 2008: Two Philadelphia Highway Patrol officers are shot in North Philadelphia. At least one suspect is shot and killed.
September 5, 2008: Officer Isabel Nazario was killed when her police cruiser was involved in a crash with an SUV that was being chased by police.
May 3, 2008: Officer Stephen Liczbinski is shot and killed while in pursuit of a suspect from a bank robbery
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October 31, 2007: Officer Chuck Cassidy shot and killed when he walked in on a robbery at a West Oak Lane Dunkin Donuts.
October 30, 2007: Officer Mariano Santiago shot in the shoulder in Center City.
October 28, 2007: Officer Sandra Van Hinkel wounded in the leg in a shootout in University City.
September 24, 2007: Rookie Officer Richard Decoatsworth shot in the face at a traffic stop in West Philadelphia.
May 8th, 2006: Officer Gary Skerski killed when a lone gunman robbed Pat's café in Northeast Philadelphia.
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