Phila. cops hailed as heroes for combination of courage, caution during chase
(CBS) PHILADELPHIA - Two Philadelphia police officers are being hailed as heroes - for their courage, and caution, in chasing a gunman down a crowded city street.
Officer Matt White and Sgt. Dominic Cole pursued suspect Isaac Carmichael near a stretch of South Street jammed with hundreds of late night partiers in Sunday's wee hours, CBS Philly reported.
"About halfway through the block another gunshot whizzed past me, I ducked for cover," said officer White. "It was like a whizzing or a zipping sound."
"I yelled, 'police stop,' but he turned and fired a shot, continued to run," said Sgt. Cole.
The police officers had the legal right to open fire, trying to stop the man that was allegedly trying to kill them - but they didn't.
"Given the risk to the people, there was no way we were going to open fire," said White.
"It's a decision you make in seconds, and those seconds can make a determination as to whether or not you as a police officer live or die," said Lieutenant Mike Goodson.
Carmichael was captured without a shot being fired by police.
"I'm glad he's off the street, and I'm glad no one was hurt," said Cole.
"Nobody got hurt, that's the most important thing," said White.
The officers' commander, calling their actions "heroic," has recommended the pair for departmental commendations.