Bill Killian Jr. already has been somewhat of a YouTube sensation. On May 19, he also became the Officer of the Year in the Northeast’s 7th Police District.
During 2010, Killian captured the alleged armed robber of a Bustleton pharmacy, seizing the suspect’s gun and stolen medications.
In addition, he made numerous other arrests for violent crimes, such as aggravated assault, and for quality-of-life offenses.
That’s why Lt. Mike Root nominated the officer for the annual award.
But Killian, a member of the 7th district’s 5 platoon, may always be best known for his videotaped off-duty arrest of the armed robber of a local convenience store in 2007.
A store security camera filmed the video, which is still viewable on YouTube. The 52-second clip shows a hooded gunman rushing into the store entrance and leaping over the cashier’s counter. As the man accosts the cashier in the foreground, just beyond the camera’s view, Killian can be seen in the distance at the rear of the store.
The officer, wearing a sweat shirt and Phillies cap, recognizes the danger, ducks briefly behind a rack of snacks, draws his gun, stalks the suspect, hops the counter and captures the man red-handed.
The video has garnered almost 100,000 views on YouTube.
Root, Killian’s supervisor, noted in his Officer of the Year nomination letter that Killian is one of the most active members of his squad with regard to arrests and investigations.
And while off duty, Killian has organized a police all-star softball game and home-run contest to benefit the families of fallen officers.
This year’s game and home-run derby will be on June 11 at the Parkwood Youth Organization. ••
