PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Monday is the first public viewing for Richard Mendez, the Philadelphia police officer who was killed in a parking garage at the Philadelphia International Airport.
A Commander’s March featuring all the leaders of the Philadelphia Police Department began at Archbishop Ryan High School and proceeded down Academy Road to John Givnish Funeral Home where the actual viewing took place.
In total, around 500 people were in attendance.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford said it was a somber day, but expressed support for Mendez’s family.
“We’re gonna get through it," Stanford said. "The main thing is us being supportive for his family and making sure that they know that we’re here for them and that he gets the proper send-off.”
There will be a second public viewing Tuesday morning at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City before his funeral service.
Mendez was 50 years old and was one of two officers shot while approaching a group of people allegedly breaking into a car at the airport. The other officer, Raul Ortiz, is out of the hospital and recovering after being shot in the arm.
All three suspects are now in custody and facing charges.