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PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― A veteran Philadelphia Police officer has died after he was shot during a robbery in the West Oak Lane section of the city Wednesday.

Officials with the Fraternal Order of Police said 54-year-old Officer Chuck Cassidy, a 25-year veteran of the force, died at about 9:40 a.m.

Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said the officer was making his rounds when he unknowingly walked into a robbery in progress at a Dunkin' Donuts near 66th Avenue and Broad Street just before 10:30 a.m.

As Officer Cassidy opened the door, the suspect shot him in the head and stole his gun as he fled the scene.

The officer was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he underwent surgery to remove the lone bullet lodged in his brain.

Despite best efforts from doctors, Cassidy succumbed to his injuries Thursday morning.

"This is a sad day for the police department, this is a sad day for the citizens of Philadelphia," Johnson said during a Thursday morning news conference.

Grieving family members issued this statement:



"Obviously we are in mourning. We are deeply appreciative of all the support and prayers from the police, the clergy, the community and many folks we don't even know."

Following Wednesday's shooting, dozens of officers swarmed city streets in a massive manhunt for the gunman.

Heavily armed officers wearing bullet proof vests joined SWAT team members as several homes were raided during the massive manhunt.

Multiple people have been taken in for questioning, but so far no arrests have been made.

Police released surveillance video from inside the Dunkin' Donuts in hopes someone will recognize the armed suspect. (Click Here To See The Video)

Commissioner Johnson said the surveillance tape was sent to FBI Headquarters in Quantico, Virginia to enhance the quality of the video.

The suspect is described as a heavy-set African American male in his 20s, approximately 5'11"- 6' tall, wearing a dark hoodie, tan khaki pants, black and white striped tan boots and has a tattoo that police believe to be a spider on his left hand. Commissioner Johnson said the suspect has a noticeable limp.

Police believe the suspect is responsible for a robbery at the same Dunkin' Donuts on September 18. (Click here to watch the surveillance video)

Investigators displayed a picture of the sweatshirt that the suspect ditched the day of the September 18 robbery and are hoping someone recognizes the article of clothing.

Sources told CBS 3 that the suspect has been linked to at least two other Dunkin' Donuts robberies in Philadelphia.

"He's extremely armed and dangerous and has no regard for human life at all," Johnson said.

Johnson said Officer Cassidy was married and had three children, one in high school and two in college.

Cassidy and his family were active members of St. Jerome's parish in Northeast Philadelphia.

(Read Cardinal Rigali's Statement)


Mayor John Street said an interfaith prayer service will be held for the fallen officer at City Hall 10 a.m. Friday.

Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia (6301 North 2nd Street, 19120) will hold a Mass to honor Officer Cassidy, a graduate of the Class of 1970, on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. in the auditorium. Alumni, parents and members of the Philadelphia Police Department are invited to join the faculty and student body as they remember Officer Cassidy.


The deadly shooting occurred less than 12 hours after an officer was shot in the shoulder while responding to reports of gunfire in Center City Tuesday night. So far, four Philadelphia Police officers have been shot in the line of duty.

Johnson said the latest violence can directly be attributed to a gun problem within the city.

"The availability of guns are really, completely out of hand here in the city of Philadelphia," Johnson said.

Wednesday's incident was not the first time Officer Cassidy had come face to face with an armed suspect. In March, CBS 3's Todd Quinones spoke with Cassidy after he was confronted by two armed suspects while on patrol with a fellow officer in Philadelphia's Logan neighborhood.


(Click here to read the story).

Local businesses and community members, along with the Fraternal Order of Police, Citizen's Crime Commission and Dunkin Donuts are putting up a $115,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the man who fatally shot Officer Charles Cassidy. Please call 215-629-3611 if you have any information.

"We're numb, we're totally numb, we're just confused, please help us get this person off the street," F.O.P. President Bob Eddis said.

Click here for information on how to contribute to a memorial trust fund established for Officer Cassidy's family.

Officer Cassidy is the 259th Police Officer to die in the line of duty in the city of Philadelphia.

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