KYW Newsradio Team Coverage


by KYW's Mike DeNardo

Thousands of people -- including family members, fellow police officers, and dignitaries such as Mayor Street and Gov. Rendell -- attended a public funeral mass on Wednesday for slain Philadelphia police officer Charles Cassidy, shot last week during a holdup attempt at an Oak Lane doughnut shop. 
  
The public viewing for Cassidy began Wednesday morning at 7am at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, on Logan Circle. The mass began at noon.

The archdiocese had a jumbo viewing screen on 18th Street, outside the cathedral, for those who were unable to get into to the building for  the over-capacity event.

Rev. Carl Janicki, president of Cardinal Dougherty High School, was the principal celebrant for the funeral Mass.  (Click here to listen to Father Janicki's homily.)

KYW's Paul Kurtz reports the burial of officer Cassidy was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, Pa.

The graveside ceremony featured wailing bagpipes, final prayers, the playing of taps and a 21-gun salute.  Hundreds of police officers gathered around the Cassidy family in a final show of support.

For 35th district police Sergeant Michael Goodson, it was the end of a gut wrenching week but also, perhaps, the beginning of a new relationship between the police department and the community. 

“We’re ecstatic that everyone was able to come together on a state, local and federal level with the assistance of the community and get this guy off the street so he couldn't torment another family.”

 That support from the community was again on display as dozens of civilians pressed against the fence to watch the ceremony and say a few prayers.


On Tuesday night in Northeast Philadelphia, it was an outpouring of grief and support for the officer Cassidy's family.

Cassidy's family, friends, and his police "family" gathered at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Road (right), to remember his life and share comfort over the pain of this loss.

Lt. Bill DiGiuseppe, who worked with Cassidy in the 35th Police District, paused to look at the hundreds who turned out:
  
"My goodness, it's tremendous. It shows that we're all a family, that we're all one, that if this could happen to Chuck, it could happen to any officer. And we support the family, and we're just one."

Former 35th District police inspector Dexter Green also remembered Cassidy:

"He was just one of the good guys."
    
DiGiuseppe says having the alleged gunman John Lewis in custody (see related story) gives the family a sense of closure, and fellow officers the knowledge that Lewis cannot hurt another member of the police family.
 
Accused Cop Killer Admits He Did It: See Related Story