Apr 25, 2009 11:27 pm US/Eastern
Fallen Philadelphia Officer's Jersey Retired
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Wearing his son's jersey, Larry McDonald remembered the moment his son,
Sgt. Pat McDonald, scored a touchdown in Soldiers Field as he played
for the Blue Flames, a team made up of his fellow officers.
"I said Pat, the good Lord can take me now, you just scored a touchdown in Soldiers Field," Larry said.
Pat was almost always the smallest guy on the field, but, like his hero "Rocky," he had the biggest heart.
"He was an absolute warrior, he was fearless," said teammate Ed Pisarek.
Pisarek
remembered the courage and dedication of his fellow officer and
teammate. It led to so many commendations and on September 23, 2008, it
led the Sgt. to chase a convicted felon down a North Philadelphia
street where Daniel Giddings shot Sgt. McDonald to death.
"He was dedicated, it took that kind of dedication to chase Daniel Giddings," said Larry.
On Saturday, before their next game, the Blue Flames will retire Sgt. McDonald's jersey so no one else will ever wear #34.
"Hopefully well get a win for him, we know hell be out there with us," said Pisarek.
On
the same field where Sgt. McDonald's jersey will be retired, nearly one
year ago to the day, the team stopped their game and knelt in prayer
after learning Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski had been shot to death.
When
the Sgt. and his teammates hit the locker room, they tore off their
uniforms, threw on their clothes, and joined the manhunt for the killer.
"Just took off their outfits, put on cops outfits and said let's go," said Larry.
In a football, or a police uniform, it's what you would have expected, the proud legacy of Sgt. Pat McDonald.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Officer Pawlowski Killed In Line Of Duty
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