First viewing held for fallen Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The first of two viewings for fallen Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez was held on Monday. He was shot and killed inside a parking garage at Philadelphia International Airport on Oct 12.
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The viewing took place at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia on Academy Road. Family, friends and fellow officers paid their respects at the viewing.
The next class of officers in Philadelphia led the procession down Academy Road.
Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford said this is one of the moments they must take in -- the cost of sacrifice -- as a city says goodbye to Officer Mendez, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
"Even our recruits are here because we want them to understand the significance of a day like today, but what you're sacrificing when you sign up to be a police officer, so it's important for them to be here and experience this moment as well," Stanford said.
John McNesby, the president of the FOP, said Officer Mendez's actions the night of the shooting showed how loyal he was to the department and city.
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"That's dedication, pure and simple," McNesby said. "If he heard that glass breaking, he could've went the other way. He did not do that, he did his job and that's what all of us would do in that position."
John F. Givnish Funeral Home expected around 2,000 people Monday evening to begin what will be a two-day-long farewell.
Officer Mendez was with the force for 22 years. He leaves behind a wife and daughter. His service to the people of Philadelphia included years in the east division of the city, as well as at the airport where he was shot and killed while interrupting four suspects who were trying to steal a car.
His partner, Officer Raul Ortiz was also wounded. He was released from the hospital shortly after the shooting and continues to recover.
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Over the next 24 hours, Officer Mendez will be honored for his ultimate sacrifice. His funeral mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and Paul at noon on Tuesday will feature remarks by Mayor Jim Kenney and Stanford, and most notably, his daughter, Mia.
"We have a great team, to be honest with you, it's a coordinated effort with the Philadelphia Police Department," Dan Solecki, of the Givnish Funeral Home, said. "It's unfortunate. We've done too many of these in the past years, it's an unfortunate statement of where we are, but we love to honor and celebrate the men and women of the PPD, especially those who sacrifice their lives for us."
