Memorializing and honoring the life of the late Walter Wallace, Jr., and recognizing the adoption of police reforms inspired by his death and the activism in his name.

WHEREAS, On October 26, 2020, 27-year-old Walter Wallace, Jr., was fatally shot by officers from the Philadelphia Police Department responding to a call made to 911; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wallace’s family had reported that Walter Wallace was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wallace was loved as a father, husband, son, brother, uncle, and cousin, and remembered as an aspiring musician, a handyman, an avid learner, a prankster, and a family man who enjoyed sports and exuded warmth and charisma; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wallace’s death is one in a series of deaths of Black men and women that resulted from encounters with police and which have spurred protests demanding police reform in Philadelphia and across our nation; and

WHEREAS, Day after day following Mr. Wallace’s tragic passing, residents of and visitors to Philadelphia took to the street to peacefully demonstrate in honor of Mr. Wallace’s life, set up memorials in his honor, and call for police reforms in his name; and

WHEREAS, Numerous resolutions were introduced by this legislative body in the days following Mr. Wallace’s death, calling for hearings on non-violent police interventions, de-escalation tactics, and crisis intervention, particularly with respect to police calls engaging with individuals experiencing distress due to behavioral health challenges; and

WHEREAS, In response to Mr. Wallace’s tragic death and his family’s calls for immediate reform, City Council has expedited the passing of, and the Mayor has signed, a budget item for the immediate purchase of and training on tasers for all uniformed police officers; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wallace’s death highlighted the urgent need for additional support for those with behavioral health challenges and their families, resulting in an acceleration of Dispatcher Crisis Intervention Training and the expeditious introduction of the Co-Responder pilot program; and

WHEREAS, The City can and will do better to address Philadelphia’s inequities in our criminal justice and health systems; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby memorializes and honors the life of Walter Wallace, Jr., recognizes that the people of Philadelphia continue to mourn his passing, and offers its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones for his untimely loss.

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Acknowledges that the above referenced police reforms were expedited in response to Mr. Wallace’s family’s calls for immediate reforms in the name of Mr. Wallace.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented Mr. Wallace’s family, to further evidence the sincere condolences and respect of this legislative body and the people of Philadelphia.

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