Center City Mural Dedicated To Memory of Slain Officer Daniel Faulkner
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is a loss we will never forget. Another memorial has gone up to honor Daniel Faulkner, the Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty in 1981.
The mural, at 235 North 11th Street, is on an outside wall of the 6th Police District headquarters, where Officer Faulkner reported for roll call each day until his five-year career, and his life, were cut short.
Faulkner was shot and killed less than a mile away, near 13th and Locust Streets.
"It's set up more as a traditional still life," says mural artist Jonathan Laidacker. "It's a black-and-white photo of him, framed, with some roses around it. And the image of St. Michael is from the policemen's prayer."
Members of the Faulkner family, including his wife, Maureen, were there.
"It's very emotional for me," she said, fighting back tears, "even though it's been 32 years."
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Maureen Faulker has long championed her late husband's ultimate sacrifice, often disputing sympathies directed toward Mumia Abu-Jamal, currently serving a life prison sentence for the officer's murder.
Abu-Jamal supporters claim his trial was unfair.
Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey and members of Faulkner's former squad were present as well today for the mural dedication.
