Oct 10, 2008 11:30 pm US/Eastern
Slain Sergeant Remembered At Graduation Ceremony
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The ceremony promoting Philadelphia officers to the rank of sergeant took place in Mayor Nutter's conference room Friday afternoon, 11 officers were in attendance but 12 officers were promoted.
The 12th man, Sergeant Pat McDonald, was murdered on a North Philadelphia street September 23.
The conference room contained an empty seat with the badge McDonald held sacred resting upon it.
His parents and fellow officer Richard Bowes, injured in the same confrontation that day, all understanding how much the job, the promotion, this day would have meant to the dedicated young officer.
"Pat McDonald deserves that seat," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. "Pat is here with us today and he's looking over every single one of us."
After the first 11 were promoted, the parents and sister of the 12th man stepped forward making history. McDonald became the first officer promoted in any rank posthumously since the department began.
"Thanks to the city of Philadelphia for making my son look like the hero that he is," said McDonald's father at the emotional ceremony.
Making sergeant is considered a launching pad to success in the police department and on the bittersweet day, the father of Sgt. Pat McDonald says he knows the young officer would have already been encouraging his fellow comrades to reach for the next goal in their careers.
"Pat would tell them, 'enjoy the night, enjoy a couple weeks, starting getting ready for your lieutenant status,'" said McDonald's father.
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