May 6, 2008...11:21 pm
Philadelphia Officer Killed
In the second incident of its kind in just over six months, Philadelphia Police Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski was killed in the line of duty this past weekend. He was responding to a robbery at a Bank of America in Port Richmond at 11:30 a.m. Saturday May 3 when he was shot and killed.
Two of the three suspects involved in the robbery were dressed in female Muslim garb when they encountered Liczbinski as he stopped their car. The sergeant did not have a chance to draw his gun before the suspects opened fire with an AK-47.
The alleged gunman was shot and killed by police responding to the incident at Louden and Rorer streets. A second suspect was apprehended by police while a third, Eric DeShawn Floyd, remains on the loose. A reward for $140,000 is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Floyd.
Liczbinski was rushed to Temple University, where he died just days before his 40th birthday. The 12-year veteran leaves behind his wife Michelle and three children — Matt, Stephen and Amber.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has declared a 30-day period of mourning for the city, calling for all flags to be lowered to half-staff.
Just over six months ago, Officer Charles “Chuck” Cassidy was shot point-blank while performing a routine check at a local Dunkin’ Donuts as part of his beat. The murder initiated an intense manhunt for the killer, as well as the emergency lockdown of several area schools, including La Salle University. Two weeks prior to the murder of Cassidy, there were three other shootings targeted at Philadelphia police.
In May 2006, Officer Gary Skerski was fatally shot in the neck while responding to an armed robbery at a bar.
As a result of the violence in Philadelphia, Nutter has named this latest murder and past events as the precise reasons guns need to be taken off the streets.
The viewing for Liczbinski will be held 6 p.m. Thursday at John F. Givnish Funeral Home, and the funeral will be celebrated at Ss. Peter and Paul Basilica Friday at noon.
Donations to the Stephen Liczbinski Family Memorial Trust Fund, to benefit the family of the fallen officer, may be made to any Philadelphia branch of the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union.
—Lauren McGlone
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