Members of the 15th Police District Advisory Council last week honored Officers Stephen Korpalski and Stephanie Johnson as their August Officers of the Month.
Korpalski was shot and wounded after they had stopped a pedestrian early on Aug. 19 at Torresdale and Magee. Police said the man, David Ellis, wounded the officer on the side of the head. Even with the graze wound, Korpalski joined Johnson, along with Officers Brian Wolf and Glenda Aviles, in returning fire. Ellis was hit several times. Ellis, who police said had a record for narcotics sales, robbery, weapons offenses and rape, died.
Lt. John Ryan said Ellis had been stopped because he matched the description of a man who reportedly had a gun and had been involved in a domestic dispute.
“When the officers went to stop him,” Ryan said, “he opened fire.”
Ryan reported to PDAC members that the 15th District has gotten 30 new officers and an additional six vehicles. The manpower has had an impact.
“Our calls are down significantly and our patrol visibility is increased,” he said.
The lieutenant said there are foot patrol beats from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight from 4600 to 5200 Frankford Ave.
The Police District Advisory Council meetings held on the last Monday of each month at the Mayfair Community Center are not open to the general public. Members of other area organizations like Town Watches or civic associations send representatives to the PDAC’s monthly meetings to report area crime problems to police. ••
