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PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― The city of Philadelphia is mourning the loss of another Philadelphia Police Officer whose life was cut short by gunfire.

Officer John Pawlowski was the seventh Philadelphia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty in less than three years.

According to police, Officer Pawlowski, 25, and his partner were responding to a report of a man with a gun and a disturbance near Broad Street and Olney Avenue at about 8:20 p.m. Friday when he was gunned down.

The suspect, identified by police as Rasheed Scrugs, 33, of West Philadelphia, reportedly approached a male cab driver and asked him "how much money he had." The man told Scrugs he was going to call the police and Scrugs allegedly replied, "If you call the police, I'll shoot you and the police."

When police arrived, Scrugs allegedly opened fire through his coat, striking Officer Pawlowski in the chest. Multiple shots were fired at Officer Pawlowski who was wearing a bulletproof vest, but he was struck in an unprotected area. Pawlowski's partner returned fire striking Scrugs.

Pawlowski was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:44 p.m.

Scrugs was also taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Commissioner Ramsey said investigators recovered a .357 magnum at the scene and have charged Scrugs with murder.

Scrugs was reportedly due in court next week on charges including receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle stemming from an arrest in 2008.

Officer John Pawlowski, of the 35th district, was a five-year veteran of the force. He leaves behind a wife who is five months pregnant with the couple's first child.

Officials said Officer Pawlowski comes from a family of law enforcement. His brother was an officer who was working in the radio room at the time of the shooting and his father is a retired officer.

Mayor Michael Nutter released a statement that read in part:

"My thoughts and prayers are with Officer John Pawlowski's family – his wife Kim and their unborn child; his three brothers Bob, Chris, and Vince; his sister Lauren; and his father John. Let them and the Philadelphia Police Department know that they have the support of the entire City of Philadelphia in this unimaginably difficult time."

The shooting occurred only minutes away from where fellow 35th District Police Officer Charles "Chuck" Cassidy was gunned down on October 31, 2007 during a robbery. Officer Cassidy passed away on November 1, 2007.

Friday's fatal shooting is the seventh time since May 2006 that a Philadelphia Police Officer has been killed in the line of duty.


Fallen Heroes Timeline:

- Sergeant Timothy Simpson (November 17, 2008)
- Sergeant Patrick McDonald (September 23, 2008)
- Officer Isabel Nazario (September 5, 2008)
- Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski (May 3, 2008)
- Officer Charles Cassidy (Shot October 31, 2007; Died on November 1)
- Officer Gary Skerski (May 8, 2006)

Officer John Pawlowski Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing - February 19, 2009:
Relatives, friends, family, members of Philadelphia Police Department and
F.O.P. Lodge #5 are invited to share in Officer Pawlowski's Life Celebration.
John F. Givnish Funeral Home (6 p.m)
10975 Academy Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154

Funeral Service - February 20, 2009:
Viewing - 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Mass of Christian Burial, 12 Noon
The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul
1723 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Interment Following Services:
Resurrection Cemetery
5201 Hulmeville Road
Bensalem, PA 19020

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

"P/O John Pawlowski Family Trust"
336 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Donations may also be dropped off at Any Branch of the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union or Philadelphia Federal Credit Union.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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