WHEREAS
, Police Officer Lauertha Vaird was appointed to the Philadelphia Police Department on June 23, 1986; and
WHEREAS
, Officer Vaird was assigned to the 25th Police District; and
WHEREAS
, On January 2, 1996, Officer Vaird responded to a radio call of a silent alarm at a bank located at 4710 Rising Sun Avenue. A gunman inside the bank, aware of her approach, was hiding behind the front door and fired on her as she entered. Officer Vaird was shot in the chest. She was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children where she was pronounced dead; and
WHEREAS
, The suspect, along with two accomplices, fled the scene, but were subsequently arrested and convicted. The gunman was sentenced to death and the two accomplices are serving life sentences; and
WHEREAS
, Officer Vaird was 43 years old when she died, having served with the Philadelphia Police Department for nine years; and
WHEREAS
, Officer Vaird resided at 1622 Widener Place; and
WHEREAS
, Officer Vaird is survived by her two children, Michael and Stephen; and
WHEREAS
, In recognition of the dedicated service by Police Officer Lauretha Vaird and to further memorialize the sacrifice she made by serving and protecting the citizens of Philadelphia; now therefore,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
, That we honor the life and service of this dedicated public servant by also naming the 1600 block of Widener Place and the streets at the intersection of Rising Sun Avenue and Wyoming Avenue in honor of Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, Badge No. 5897.
End