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Friends described Cassidy as a strong but humble man. He stood over 6 feet tall and was "sturdily built," Graham said. When not on duty, he volunteered at his church and his kids’ schools, friends said.
"I coached his daughters in CYO softball and Chuck was our first-base coach," said Walt Blichasz, a St. Jerome parishioner and civilian police dispatcher. "He was one of the fathers who stood out and offered to help out however he could."
Cassidy managed to stay involved despite his rotating police schedule, Blichasz noted.
Cassidy spent his entire career as a patrol cop. He worked for almost 11 years in the 35th district, where the shooting occurred. Originally, Cassidy worked in the neighboring 39th district, where he spent more than 13 years.
"He was in the 39th forever and ever and he loved it there," Bamberski said. "He did a short stint in South Philly (a year in the 17th district), but wanted to go back to the neighborhood he was most familiar with."
Cassidy earned numerous awards in his career including two Merit Commendations, one Heroism Commendation, one Commendatory Citation and two Commendatory Letters, a police spokesman said.
A friend of Cassidy’s told the Northeast Times that the officer was enrolled in the city’s deferred retirement program and was due to leave the police force within weeks. A police spokesman said he was unable to confirm that fact.
"He could have had an inside job somewhere but he didn’t take it," the friend said. "I guess when it’s your day, it’s your day."
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Cassidy grew up in the area covered by the 35th district, Bamberski said. He graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1970 and remained active in the school’s alumni association.
Judy Cassidy (nee Golden) attended Dougherty at the same time. The family joined St. Jerome parish more than 17 years ago, said Graham. All three of their children graduated from the parish’s grade school.
The two girls went on to graduate from St. Hubert High School and attend Gwynedd-Mercy College. Cassidy’s son is a sophomore at Father Judge High School.
Last week, Dougherty hosted a Mass in Cassidy’s honor. On Saturday, Judge held a ceremony prior to its varsity soccer and football games in which the school president, the Rev. Joseph Campellone, gave Judy Cassidy a team jersey featuring a patch with her husband’s badge number on it. The Crusaders now wear the same patches on their game jerseys as a tribute to the officer.
The officer’s death remained a primary topic of discussion on Sunday at St. Jerome as worshipers convened for regularly scheduled Masses.
"The community is devastated," said one woman who asked to remain anonymous.
"They’re the most wonderful family you’d want to meet," said Peggy Lyman.
"We’re not putting them on a pedestal just because (Judy) lost her husband," agreed Mary Ann Kiker.
Charles Cassidy was the third city police officer shot in a four-day span and the second shot within 12 hours. The other two wounded officers have survived.
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For many in the law enforcement community and the public at-large, news of the Cassidy shooting evoked painful memories of the murder of Officer Gary Skerski 18 months ago. Solomon Montgomery, who murdered Skerski at Pat’s Café in Northwood, pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 30, just about 24 hours before the Cassidy shooting.
Cassidy was unaware of the robbery at the West Oak Lane Dunkin’ Donuts when he went there for a cup of coffee that morning, police said. Those familiar with the shop say that Cassidy had checked in on the place once or twice a day since a robbery there on Sept. 18.
Police believe that Lewis also committed the earlier robbery.
As Cassidy approached the shop, a person in the parking lot reportedly warned him of the trouble inside. The officer entered the front door with his service pistol in hand, but Lewis shot first and wounded Cassidy in the head, police said. On his way out, Lewis stooped to strip the fatally injured officer of his gun, police said.
A surveillance camera in the store filmed the entire incident, which lasted only "several seconds," an investigator said.
Fellow officers rushed Cassidy to Einstein, where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Meanwhile, police began their block-by-block, house-by-house and alley-by-alley search for the shooter.
Investigators released an edited copy of the surveillance video to the news media and a description of the shooter in hope of generating leads.
Individuals, businesses and organizations from throughout the region contributed to a reward fund that reached $153,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
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On Sunday morning, Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson announced that investigators had identified John Lewis, a.k.a. Jordan Lewis or Lewis Jordan, as the gunman. Family members tipped authorities off to his identity, according to news reports.
"We’ve made real good progress," said Bamberski, the homicide detective, who took a break from around-the-clock work to attend church with his family on Sunday.
"It’s been a hectic three or four days," he said at the time.
In addition to numerous Philadelphia police units, federal agencies participated on a task force investigating the case, Bamberski said.
Investigators described Lewis as black, 6 feet tall and weighing 270 pounds. He has tattoos of the letters "NP" for North Philly on one hand and "HP" for Hunting Park on the other.
Lewis reportedly used the alias Akim Melvin Atwell when he checked into the Miami shelter on Monday afternoon.
According to court records, Lewis has had three arrests since turning 18, two for drug offenses and one for attempted theft. Prosecutors withdrew one drug case and the theft case in February after Lewis completed a program for non-violent offenders. The second drug case, stemming from a June arrest, is active.
On Monday afternoon, Johnson announced that police had found Cassidy’s gun, as well as the suspected murder weapon in a house on North Franklin Street in Hunting Park.
"There’s no doubt we’re looking for the right man," Johnson said after revealing the find.
Members of the 35th district have created the Charles Cassidy Family Memorial Trust Fund to benefit the family of the slain officer. Those wishing to donate may address a check to the fund in care of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, at 901 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Donations may also be delivered to the district, at 5960 N. Broad St., or to any PFFCU branch. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com