Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District, gave the following remarks after Thursday night’s attack at Philadelphia International Airport which resulted in the loss of life of a Philadelphia Police officer and another officer wounded:
«When I heard the news of the officers who had been attacked at the airport, I was deeply shaken. Not just because someone decided to attack and endanger two hard working veterans of our police force reporting for duty, but because these two officers are people who I know personally and have worked with throughout my time serving the city.
Before Officers Mendez and Ortiz were transferred to the Airport Unit, they served in the 25th Police District, where members of my staff and I worked with them and developed a close relationship. These Officers helped shape my philosophy on what community policing should look like; they worked with me hand in hand and built the foundation for what we are working to achieve. I personally am feeling this loss very deeply, as are so many people in the Philadelphia Police Community and the people who they protected and served.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend, Officer Richard Mendez who was an upstanding policeman and a model for the department to follow and I wish for a speedy recovery for Officer Raul Ortiz.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to Officer Mendez’s wife, Alexandra, and his daughter Mia. I am praying and will continue to pray for them.
As we wait for the details, I pray justice is served. As a friend of these officers and as a Councilmember I will take it upon myself to assure them that these officers did not die in vain. An attack like this is the product of a culture of disobedience for authority that is plaguing our city. As leaders, we need to look at this for what it is and admit that the defiance of our laws and disrespect for authority taking place is not healthy behavior. This action and this culture continues to strain the relationship between community and police. This incident is the highest height its reached and we cannot allow it to go higher.»
