Resolution 220674

..Title Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia Police Officers Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson for protecting the lives of community residents by immediately, and heroically, springing to action in response to a shooting at Shepard Recreation Center on August 16, 2022. ..Body WHEREAS, On August 16, 2022, neighboring residents of West Philadelphia's Shepard Recreation Center heard a sound that has become all too familiar for Philadelphia residents. That night, six gunmen opened fired in a horrific drive-by shooting which wounded three people and critically injured two. Nearly 100 shots rang out on that summer evening where members of the community gathered to play basketball and football; and WHEREAS, Upon hearing the gun shots, two 19th District Police Officers, Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson, drove towards the recreation center. After witnessing a man with a firearm getting into a Dodge Durango, the officers followed until the vehicle crashed, and a foot chase ensued. Officers Sidler and Watson ran towards danger and apprehended three of the shooters; and WHEREAS, Officer Taylor Sidler is a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology. Following his academic career, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department and graduated from the police academy in 2017. Through his five years of patrol experience, he has been assigned to the 19th Police District. Officer Sidler is well trained in policing and has attended trainings on identifying criminal vehicles, deceptive behaviors, proactive patrol tactics, Pennsylvania state Caselaw, and narcotic investigation related traffic stops. In addition to his police work, Officer Sidler is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is a coach for youth sports, and was recently inducted into the Pottsville High School All Sports Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, Officer Paul Watson served in the United States Marine Corps and served a combat tour in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. After his service, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 2013 and was assigned to the 19th Police District after his graduation from the Police Academy in 2014. Officer Watson is a skilled police officer and has received extensive training in narcotics enforcement and surveillance, narcotic interdiction and proper execution of a search warrant. He has also received numerous commendations for his quality policing while patrolling the 19th Police District for the last eight years; and WHEREAS, The brave and heroic actions taken by Officers Sidler and Watson on August 16, 2022 saved countless lives. These officers represent the best of the Philadelphia Police Department, and their actions merit honor, recognition, and commemoration; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors Philadelphia Police Officers Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson for their heroic acts of bravery on August 16, 2022. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia Police Officers Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson as a sign of the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body. ..End