The memories of two Philadelphia Police highway patrol officers, killed along Interstate 95, will never be forgotten as officials dedicate a portion of the highway in their honor.
A seven-mile stretch of Interstate 95 from Allegheny Avenue to Academy Road has been renamed The Officers O’Hanlon and Lorenzo Memorial Highway, according to Philadelphia Police.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Mayor Michael Nutter, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby and the officers’ families were on hand for a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Highway Patrol Officer Charles O’Hanlon was killed on November 13, 1985 after a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of his unmarked police cruiser in the northbound lanes of I-95 at Comly Road.
It was 3:15 in the morning on Sunday, July 8, 2012, when an alleged drunk driver drove the wrong way on I-95 and slammed head on into Officer Brian Lorenzo in the northbound lanes of the highway at Princeton Avenue. Ofc. Lorenzo was traveling home from his highway patrol shift on his police motorcycle when he was hit.
John Leck, Jr., remains in jail charged with third-degree murder and other crimes. He is set to stand trial on October 21.
A state bill to rename the highway was sponsored by State Senator Michael Stack and was passed by the legislature last October.
Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police