Ofc. Pawlowski's Accused Killer Held for Trial

The alleged killer of Philadelphia police Officer John Pawlowski will stand trial.

Rasheed Scruggs, 33, is charged with shooting Pawlowski and his partner on February 13 as they responded to a report that he was trying to rob a cab driver at Broad and Olney Streets in North Philly.

During Thursday's hearing, witnesses testified that Scruggs threatened to shoot the cab driver and police if he called for help.

Witnesses also replayed in detail how Scruggs fired a gun at the officers through his coat pocket.

Tears streamed down the faces of Pawlowski's distraught pregnant widow and other family members who were inside court.

Scruggs was wounded in the ensuing shoot-out with police and spent a week in the hospital. He appeared in court with a walker.

Pawlowski was the seventh Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty in less than three years.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said in the 40 years that he’s been in law enforcement, he’s never seen so many officers killed in such a short period of time.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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