Officer William Forbes and Sgt. Rich Crawford were honored as 7th Police District Advisory Council Officers of the Month for June.
On a Wednesday afternoon, Forbes observed a man walking on Roosevelt Boulevard. The man matched the description police radio put out about a bank robbery suspect at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd.
Forbes lost sight of the man briefly but believed he’d entered the Motel 6, 11580 Roosevelt Blvd. Crawford set up a secure perimeter of officers around the Motel 6. Forbes and Crawford entered the property, eventually stopping and investigating a man fitting the police radio description in a hallway. Other officers brought the teller from Citizens Bank to the scene. She positively identified the man as the person who robbed her.
Officers searched the suspect and found $718, which was returned to Citizens Bank. Further investigation revealed the man also allegedly robbed the Citizens Bank at 7327 Frankford Ave. on April 26 and June 18.
“Officer Forbes is a magnificent police officer, consistently dedicated to his duties and to serving and keeping the citizens of Philadelphia safe,” said Capt. Robert Ritchie, commander of the 7th Police District.
Crawford was not present for the event and will be presented his award at a later date.
Meanwhile, Officers Michael Murphy and Norine Peterson were named the 7th PDAC’s Officers of the Month.
On July 9, Murphy and Peterson were on patrol when they observed a man carrying a teenager out of a building on the 8100 block of Castor Ave. The boy, a 16-year-old, had a small amount of blood coming from his mouth and was unresponsive. The officers notified police radio and called for fire and rescue. They also initiated CPR and noticed a surgical scar along the center of the boy’s chest.
After a few cycles of CPR, the boy became responsive and combative, as if he were coming out of a seizure. Medic 38 arrived and transported the boy to St. Christopher’s Hospital. The boy’s father confirmed that his son had a heart condition.
“The swift and courageous action of Officers Murphy and Peterson saved the life of this 16-year-old boy,” Ritchie said.
All Officers of the Month receive gifts from local businesses: a dinner for two from Texas Roadhouse, a $15 gift card from Mission BBQ, a travel mug and coupon for a free Shorti hoagie, cold beverage, hot beverage, bakery item and breakfast sandwich from Wawa.
The 7th PDAC gave a tote bag to carry all of the swag. ••
