A PHILADELPHIA SWAT officer and father of two was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday morning.
SWAT police officer Corporal James O’Connor, 46, was shot dead in Frankford while arresting a suspect wanted for a 2019 murder.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that the team was raiding a home on Bridge Street near Duffield Street in the Frankford neighbourhood.
Someone opened fire through a closed door on the second floor at 5.51am, striking the veteran corporal in the shoulder.
Another SWAT officer returned fire, striking two people in their lower extremities, Outlaw said. The two other people shot in the home were taken to Einstein Medical Center in stable condition.
O'Connor was rushed to Temple University Hospital where he died at 6.09am.
In the minutes after the shooting, a heavy police presence, including officers with long guns, could be seen standing outside the home.
The person the SWAT team was after was not shot and was taken into custody.
Commissioner Outlaw said: "I don’t even know if 'unbearable' is the word — there's not a word for the emotion that’s being felt right now.
"It takes a special person to do this job and that's who this corporal was."
O'Connor had been a serving officer for 23 years and had spent the last 15 years on the SWAT team.
He was a married father of two. His son is currently a 9th District police officer and his daughter serves in the Air Force.
The official Twitter account of the police department shared condolences and called O'Connor's death a "senseless tragedy."
Philadelphia police officers and leadership, including Commissioner Outlaw and Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby, and Mayor Jim Kenney rushed to the hospital and gave their condolences.
An emotional Kenney praised the work of O'Connor and all Philly officers outside the hospital then released a statement.
Kenney said: "I am grief-stricken to learn of the tragic death of Philadelphia Police Cpl. James O’Connor.
"Today, like every day, he demonstrated the ultimate form of heroism: putting out his uniform, leaving his family and carrying out his sworn duty to protect the residents of this city.
"I share my deepest condolences with those who knew and loved Corporal O’Connor.
"I ask all Philadelphians to keep his family, and all members of the Police Department, in your prayers at this difficult time.”
The mayor has ordered all city flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
Police cars accompanied the hearse carrying O'Connor's body from the hospital as it left later Friday morning.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
FOP State Lodge President Les Neri said on Facebook: “Cpl. O’Connor is a courageous hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving the citizens of Philadelphia,"
"His dedication and bravery will live on forever. Our heartfelt condolences go to Cpl. O’Connor’s family and friends during this time."
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf also offered condolences in statements.
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