by Alex Lloyd Gross
The viewing was held tonight for slain Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Road. This was a public viewing, a way for people to pay their respects to the fallen officer. An estimated 2000 people were said to have attended tonight’s viewing.
A private viewing/service will be held tomorrow at the Basilica at 17th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway. That is going to be for police and family members only. Tonight, traffic was diverted from Comly Road to Red Lion Road. Only people attending the viewing and residents were permitted on that section of Academy Road. The parking lot of Ryan High School was used for over flow parking for police.
Officer Mendez was killed when he interrupted a car theft at an airport parking garage. The at least one suspect opened fire on him. One suspect was shot dead and the other three are in custody.