Mourners pay respects to slain Philadelphia police officer

By KATHY MATHESON
Associated Press Writer

Hundreds of mourners lined up in the pouring rain outside a cathedral Friday to pay their respects to a Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty.

A horse-drawn caisson traveled about a mile through city streets before dawn to bring Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski´s casket from police headquarters to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where a funeral Mass was held.

Liczbinski, 39, a 12-year veteran of the police force, was fatally shot on Saturday as he responded a robbery at a bank inside a supermarket.

One of three suspects in the holdup was killed shortly afterward by police. A second man was taken into custody on Sunday and a third suspect was captured late Wednesday night.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, speaking to pews packed with officers and loved ones, said Liczbinski´s death "represents the kind of heroism that takes place throughout the country every single day by the men and women in uniform."

"Steve is not a hero in my mind because of how he died," Ramsey said. "He´s a hero because many years ago he made the decision, he answered a call, he knew that he wanted to help others. ... He chose to become a police officer."

Outside the packed cathedral, hundreds of people gathered to watch the funeral Mass on video screens.