It must end! More violence against police

Philly.com: Another fallen Phila. officer leaves city reeling:

A 30-year-old Philadelphia policeman was shot and killed yesterday by a wanted felon who fired several times into the fallen officer as he lay wounded on a North Philadelphia street.

"He stood over the top of him and killed him," said Homicide Capt. James Clark, who called the killing of Officer Patrick McDonald an "execution."

The officer's slaying came at the end of a foot pursuit and was followed by a shoot-out that left the felon dead, a second policeman seriously wounded, and the city grappling with the death of another police officer killed in the line of duty.

KIKO's HOUSE: Officer Patrick McDonald (1978-2008):

The murder of any police officer is an outrage, but when Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald yesterday became the fourth Philadelphia cop to be gunned down in 11 months, the financial crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, let alone the presidential campaign, seemed ever more like abstractions.

McDonald, a star athlete in high school and eight-year veteran of the force, was widely admired. The 30-year-old bachelor had bought and lived in the house in the Morrell Park neighborhood where he grew up, and neighbors considered him to be their son, their father and their protector.

For what it is worth, McDonald's assailant also died. For what it is worth, it will only be a matter of time before the handgun the perp used is likely traced through a series of legal transactions until it entered the city's thriving gray market in devices the kill. Because, you see, in Pennsylvania just about anyone can buy a gun with few or no questions asked. Just don't get caught smoking on school property or, heaven forbid, enjoy a puff of marijuana once in a while.

Katey's Kafe: Officers Down:

The POS who shot both McDonald and Bowes is no longer with us, thankfully. He has been exterminated.

I would also like to mention how much of a class act the NYPD is. They flew McDonald's sister from NYC to Temple Hospital so she could be with her brother. Way to go.

Prayers sent to the family of Officer McDonald and those in the Philadelphia Police Department. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

R.I.P. Officer McDonald

WHYY's Its Our City asks Does Philadelphia feel safer now than last year?:

How can the crime rate be lower when things seem out of control on the streets of Philadelphia? That’s what’s been going through my mind lately, especially after yesterday’s shooting death of a Philadelphia Police officer. But if you check the police website you’ll see that the homicide rate is down 20% over this time last year. That’s is a big improvement. But I also remember that one of Mayor Michael Nutter’s goals is also to reduce the fear of crime.