Today the 7th police officer in less then 3 years will be buried after being murdered on our streets. Please say a prayer, well wishes, etc to the men and women in blue who put their lives on the risk everyday for our saftey. The funeral mass is being held down town, but churches all over the area are holding their on memorials. I'm sitting by my window watching the church across the street. There's at least 150 officers from all over the area, paying their respects. Next time you see a police officer, thank them. I know I will.
Are Philly's crime stats that high, Jen? It seems disproportionate to have seven Officers killed in the line of duty in three years.
They have been. A couple years ago, the murder rate was sky rocketing. At one point it was averaging more then one per day, but its starting to go down....
According to http://www.odmp.org/year.php?year=2008&Submit=Go , Texas lead the nation in Officer deaths last year with 14, followed by Cali with 11 and Florida with 8. Another interesting fact according to the site: Of the 132 Nationwide Police deaths in 2008, 39 were automobile related.
Those are all too many if you ask me. One of those was a Philly cop. Her cruiser was slamed into by a suspect that she was chasing down. She died a short time after. I believe that was back in september.
My uncle was a PBC Sheriff's officer. He was injured and almost killed in an auto accident over 12 years ago. Hasn't been the same since, he's all effed up on pain medication and whatnot. Sucks.
Phillys a tough town. philly, camden..its hot a hot-bed of drugs crime and violence. sure theres tons of nice sections, but theres miles upon miles of poverty.