7th Police District Advisory Council

9845 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19115
ph: 215-728-7300
fax: 215-874-4793

Police Heroism

The 7th Police District is proud to have some of the most dedicated officers in the department. The articles below demonstrae their dedication.

  • Off Duty 7th District Officer William Killian Foils an Armed Robbery

    One of the 7th District's finest officers foiled a robbery of a 7-11 store. The event was captured on video surveillance and can be viewed by clicking here.

  • NEW YEARS EVE FIRE - BRADFORD ARMS APARTMENTS

    OFFICERS INVOLVED:

     

    Lt. David Marnien                     P/O Frank Carelli

    Sgt. Marc Hayes                        P/O Richard Johnston

    P/O Robert Bonino                    P/O Marc Kolsky

    P/O Thomas Carpino                 P/O Christopher Fischer

    P/0 John Conners                     P/O James Klepsky

On 1-01-09, at 12;09 AM, police responded to the "Bradford Arms" apartment building at 2100 Benson Street, (8200 Bustleton Avenue), for a report of a fire with persons trapped. On arrival with Ladder 28 and Engine 62 at 12:12 AM, three minutes after the first call to 9-1-1, Police Lieutenant David Marnien observed a second floor apartment fully engulfed in fire with the fire extruding from the windows due to high winds. There were numerous persons on the first and second floors trapped by fire with heavy smoke conditions at their windows, seeking help in getting out of the building. Arriving officers began to rescue and remove these trapped individuals as members of the Fire Department began to battle the fire. Lt. David Marnien, Sgt Marc Hayes, P/0 Robert Bonino, P/0 Thomas Carpino, P/0 John Conners, P/0 Frank Carelli and P/0 Richard Johnston entered the front of the property directly under the apartment that was fully engulfed and rescued numerous individuals, most of whom were elderly, with mobility difficulties and severely disoriented due to the smoke filled environment. Some of these individuals had to be carried down the steps and out of the building. All of these police personnel re-entered the property multiple times to retrieve other individuals who were trapped by heavy smoke, and increasingly volatile fire conditions, placing the welfare of the trapped individuals above their personal safety as the fire spread rapidly above them.

P/0 Marc Kolsky, P/0 Christopher Fischer and P/0 James Klepsky obtained a ladder from a Fire Department engine and, after setting up the ladder to a rear upper floor apartment, were able to climb and rescue one individual who was trapped by the fire on that floor. These Police personnel exercised great initiative in this rescue placing the welfare of the trapped individual above their regard for personal safety.


Due to high winds, this fire spread quickly, and required the Fire Department to strike four alarms to gain control. This fire eventually destroyed approximately half of the building. Without the actions of the police personnel involved there is no
doubt that the fire would have claimed multiple lives, It was unfortunate that in spite of the police and fire department actions, an elderly woman lost her life after being evacuated to a hospital. In a memorandum to the Commanding Officer, 7th District; Captain Charles Heinz, Philadelphia Fire Department, Engine 62/A, stated that the actions of the police personnel involved prevented this disaster from becoming far worse.

9845 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19115
ph: 215-728-7300
fax: 215-874-4793