You will be greatly missed, Steve.
Mourners Say Goodbye To Slain Sergeant
PHILADELPHIA -- On a dreary day that matched the mood, the Philadelphia Police Department turned out in force to bury one of its own.
Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski was remembered Friday as a hero who died in the line of duty as well as a loving husband and father.
The rain didn't stop thousands from coming out to bid a final farewell to a man who they said answered the call, who did his job, and who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mourners lined up in the pouring rain Friday outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul to pay their respects to Liczbinski, who was fatally shot Saturday.
Inside, a sea of blue and sadness filled the cathedral as a community said goodbye to one of its protectors and a family said goodbye to a husband, father and brother.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey set the tone."Every day, we send men and women into harm's way, patrolling the streets of our city, knowing full well of the danger, but also knowing there's a job that has to get done," Ramsey told the rows of packed pews."Steve isn't a hero in my mind because of how he died," Ramsey said. "He's a hero because many years ago he made the decision, he answered a call, he knew that he wanted to help others. ... He chose to become a police officer."
The mass was also a celebration of Liczbinski's life. Friends said he was "a cop's cop" and a family man. Liczbinski's open casket was lined with framed photos of his family. His love of the Philadelphia Flyers was also on display: his casket's lining bore the hockey team's emblem, and a jersey and flower arrangement in the shape of the logo were on display nearby. Even the hearse included Flyers memorabilia.
Liczbinski's son, Matt, made clear his father was a dedicated fan, and he lightened the mood by asking the mourners to chant and clap loud enough so his father could hear them cheering for his favorite team.
"Let's go Flyers, let's go," the crowd yelled, followed by clapping. "Thank you everyone," Matt Liczbinski said. The chant came just hours before the Flyers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals. The slain sergeant's son also talked about his child-like admiration for his father, saying a friend recently told him, "You're the only 24-year-old kid, like an 8-year-old, who still thought his dad could beat up any other guy in the world."
Before the ceremony, thousands of police from the area and all around the country came to give their comrade one last salute. They and local dignitaries who attended said they have lost a family member, too. Their main concern now is supporting his family. "While Steve is no longer with us, he is closer to you than ever. Jesus assures us that that type of love never ends. I know there will be those times when you will feel his presence. And while you will not see him, you will know he's there -- there helping you, guiding you and loving you deeply as he always did," said Rev. Joseph McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.
Comforting words were mixed with offerings and signs of solidarity, including fellow officers coming up one-by-one to place roses in vases by the casket.
Looking at Liczbinski's family, Ramsey said, "Michelle, let me say this: We are here today. … We'll be with you tomorrow, next week, next month. We will be with you forever. We can't bring Stephen back … but what we can do is honor his memory, his legacy, honor each and every one of you," Ramsey added.
Many Stood Out In Rain For Funeral
As Liczbinski's body was carried from the cathedral, hundreds of police officers from all around the Delaware Valley area and much further away stood at attention.
Some of the officers were left with no option but to brave the cold, frigid rain and watch the services on a jumbo television.
"It's pretty much a solemn mood. I mean, you lose one of the fellows officers, it's something that strikes you inside and you have to think about a little reflection on yourself, the day's events and your life, too," 6th District Officer Gary Kustra said.
Whether they were inside or outside, the special blue bond that makes each officer at each department family was evident. "It's more of an emotional event because you're with fellow officers, and you kind of share the feeling. You know you're not alone, and that's something that we all have to face every day," Kustra said.
And among the sea of uniforms standing along the sidewalks and in the park were those who never donned a uniform but simply wanted to pay their respects. "I've been touch by this, and I wanted to show my respects," one man said. "I think it's great that they all made time to get here and, you know, for one of their fallen colleagues that's respect," a woman said. And for Philadelphia police especially, the dangerous reality of life on the job was once again realized. "It's just a very sad thing. It's happened too soon and too often," Philadelphia police Captain Bill Fischer said.
'Last Call' Made At Cemetery
A lengthy motorcade with hundreds of police cars from all jurisdictions up and down the East Coast made its way over the Vine Street Expressway, up Interstate 95 and then to Resurrection Cemetery on Hulmeville Road in Bensalem by just after 3 p.m.
A color guard marched in followed by bagpipers and a police helicopter flew above the cemetery grounds before the hearse arrived.
Then, a simple and somber graveside ceremony filled with emotion and traditions important to the department was held before internment. Every motion had a purpose. A long line of 200 police recruits and 100 Philadelphia police officers stood at attention, lining the path to the vault.
The most powerful part came at the "last call," when Liczbinski's badge was officially retired. The last call to which he responded was replayed over a public address system, then he was called out to three times ceremoniously.
When there was no response, a dispatcher was asked to take the sergeant's name off of the assignment board.
The plot number for Liczbinski's gravesite is 486, the same as his badge number.
Preparations Began Before Dawn
Before 6 a.m., piper drum corps lined up at police headquarters as Liczbinski's body was transferred from a hearse to an historic, horse-drawn caisson at police headquarters.
Then, the carriage traveled about a mile through city streets to reach the cathedral. Philadelphia Police Department Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan, who coordinated many of the events, described the carriage beforehand. "It's black, it's windows on all sides. It will be adorned with mourning drapes. Even the straps for the horses are black," Sullivan said. "It's an honor that's reserved often for presidents and heads-of-states."The police commissioner led that procession.
Sullivan said the pallbearers were officers from the 24th and 4th districts who worked with the sergeant and are very close to him. Officers also processed to Liczbinski's Thursday night viewing at the Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia. Once Friday morning's viewing began, hundreds of police officers and members of the public signed guest books and filed by the casket. Television monitors throughout the cathedral played a slideshow of pictures from Liczbinski's life.
Flyers React To Funeral Chant
The Flyers released a statement Tuesday afternoon. "We are all deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Philadelphia police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski. "We are aware of his loyalty, passion and enthusiasm for the Philadelphia Flyers, and we will honor him with a moment of silence before our game on Tuesday."
Final Suspect Captured, Arraigned
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced that the final suspect, Eric Floyd, 33, was arraigned early Friday morning. Floyd was arraigned on murder charges and related offenses at
4:30 a.m. and was held without bail.
Authorities captured Floyd late Wednesday night in the Kingsessing section of the city.
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