Officer Seiber’s death puts police-community relations in focus as West Philadelphia mourns

Norwood Bernard Jr. called the shooting “a tragedy” and expressed frustration with Lewis’ previous encounters with the criminal justice system. “The judicial system is so tainted and flawed,” Bernard said. — TRIBUNE PHOTO/SHERRY STONE

“It’s so sad,” said Christ Wharton, 32. “This is a dangerous area. I’m so sorry for Officer Seiber’s passing. His family has my prayers and condolences.” — TRIBUNE PHOTO/SHERRY STONE

In a West Philadelphia neighborhood where police have worked to build stronger relationships with residents, the fatal shooting of Officer Shane Seiber has brought grief and renewed discussion about violence, public safety and the relationship between police and the community.

As Philadelphia prepared Monday for Seiber’s funeral Tuesday, residents near the site where the 40-year-old officer was fatally shot offered condolences to his family while expressing differing views about policing and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Their reflections come as the police department continues community policing initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships between officers and the neighborhoods they serve.

“I feel for the officer who was killed,” said West Philadelphia resident Quanda Thompson, 48. “I wish that the police would patrol the streets a little more often. I remember when there were police on every corner.”

Norwood Bernard Jr. called the shooting “a tragedy” and expressed frustration with Lewis’ previous encounters with the criminal justice system. “The judicial system is so tainted and flawed,” Bernard said. — TRIBUNE PHOTO/SHERRY STONE

Seiber, a 10-year Philadelphia Police Department veteran, was fatally shot shortly after midnight Oct. 10 near 52nd and Race streets in West Philadelphia. Police said Eric Lewis fired shots from a porch near a home in the area.

Officer Hector Rodriguez, 33, a father of five, was also shot multiple times and was listed in stable condition at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

For some residents, Seiber’s death underscores concerns about violence and safety in the neighborhood.

“It’s so sad,” said Chris Wharton, 32. “This is a dangerous area. I’m so sorry for Officer Seiber’s passing. His family has my prayers and condolences.”

Norwood Bernard Jr. called the shooting “a tragedy” and expressed frustration with Lewis’ previous encounters with the criminal justice system.

“The judicial system is so tainted and flawed,” Bernard said.

Edwin Smith, 44, focused on Seiber’s family and particularly the children the officer leaves behind.

“I feel so sorry for his family,” Smith said. “Officer Seiber had children that he won’t get to see grow up.”

The residents’ comments come against the backdrop of the police department’s continuing efforts to strengthen relationships between officers and the communities they patrol.

The department has invested in community policing initiatives in recent years. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced the adoption this year of the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative intended to support interactions involving neurodivergent people.

Bethel also recently held a school security and safety summit, “Connected and Protected,” focused on safety in and around Philadelphia schools.

Other department community outreach efforts include Shop With a Cop, the 24th Police District’s “Christmas Xpress” and the 19th Police District’s annual back-to-school backpack giveaway.

Community Relations Officer Shakira Ayers said previously that the 19th Police District collected at least 200 backpacks to distribute to students preparing for the first day of school.

The event allows neighbors “to know that officers care about them and their families” and provides an opportunity to “bridge the gap between the community and area police,” Ayers said.

Dennis Lee, president of the 19th Police District Advisory Council, said the organization helps raise money for programs designed to connect police with residents.

“Each district has a community relations officer and we get together to talk about what we will do each year and how much money we will need, so we are the nonprofit arm of the police,” Lee said.

Last holiday season, the Police Department sponsored 600 families who received $150 gift cards at a Walmart in South Philadelphia as part of its annual Shop With a Cop event.

The national program brings police officers and children together to shop during the holiday season. Philadelphia began participating in the program in 2021, pairing officers from patrol districts with children from the neighborhoods they serve.

“It’s so sad,” said Christ Wharton, 32. “This is a dangerous area. I’m so sorry for Officer Seiber’s passing. His family has my prayers and condolences.” — TRIBUNE PHOTO/SHERRY STONE

“It’s a great experience where the community and officers all get together for one common cause — that’s just to celebrate happiness on our holidays,” said Victor McDuffy, communications officer for the 18th Police District.

But conversations with some West Philadelphia residents following Seiber’s death illustrated the complexity of the relationship between police and the communities they serve.

“We are all so sorry,” West Philadelphia resident Phil Black said Monday. “I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting anything like that to happen. I feel sorry for the officer’s family. I never want a life to be lost.”

Black said he knows Lewis, who has been charged in connection with the shooting, and would like to see police video of the encounter before reaching conclusions about everything that occurred.

“Eric didn’t seem crazy or anything; I usually saw him on his way to work,” Black said. “I saw him pull up in a Water Department truck and I presumed that he had a new job, a promotion or something.”

Black emphasized that he did not witness the shooting.

“I wasn’t there,” he said. “But I wonder if he was fighting for his life.”

Another man, who identified himself only as Jaron, said he has known Lewis and his brothers since they were about 8 years old. He questioned whether officers could have done more to de-escalate the situation.

“I think that the cops should have done more to de-escalate the situation,” Jaron said.

Smith also raised broader concerns about relationships between police officers and Black residents.

“Sometimes, I think that police can’t quite relate to African Americans,” Smith said. “They are not often African American. There are negative African Americans, whites, Latinos — every group has some negative types.”

The neighborhood reflections came as Philadelphia prepared to formally say goodbye to Seiber.

A public viewing was scheduled Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Road.

Early Tuesday, Bethel, Mayor Cherelle Parker and police officers are scheduled to gather at 6 a.m. for a procession from the Philadelphia Public Services Building at 15th and Callowhill streets to escort Seiber to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Seiber’s funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the basilica, 1723 Race St., according to Philadelphia police.

The ceremony is scheduled to include an honor guard rifle salute, the playing of taps, reflections and remembrances, a ceremonial flyover, an American flag-folding ceremony and a pipes-and-drums salute.

Following the shooting, District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a statement saying his office stood with city, faith and community leaders in supporting Seiber’s family and the other officers affected by the shooting.

“We stand with local officials, faith-based and community leaders in extending our thoughts and support to the family of fallen Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and all other law enforcement who are physically and mentally recovering from this weekend’s horrific violence against sworn Philadelphia Police personnel,” Krasner said.

Krasner said his office is working with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 to provide victim-support services for affected officers and their families.

He also said the District Attorney’s Office’s External Engagement and Government Affairs Division, including its Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement of Survivors of Homicide, or C.A.R.E.S., Unit, Victim Services Unit and Community Engagement Unit, was working with those affected by the violence along North 52nd Street.

“Gunfire, wounded police personnel, loud sirens and chaotic crime scenes can overwhelm residents of any community across Philadelphia,” Krasner said.

Lewis has been charged with homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer and related offenses, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Krasner said Lewis is being held in custody and is ineligible for cash bail.

Krasner also addressed Lewis’ previous criminal cases.

Lewis was charged with murder, aggravated assault and related offenses following an Aug. 31, 2019, road-rage double shooting, according to Krasner. A judge found Lewis not guilty. Krasner said the judge subsequently referred concerns about the police investigation to the department’s Internal Affairs Division.

Lewis was also charged with assault and gun offenses in a separate case in 2021. That case was held for trial but did not proceed following the death from natural causes of the key victim and witness, Krasner said.

The District Attorney’s Office said it is committed to prosecuting the current case and seeking justice for those affected by the shooting.

As residents reflected on Seiber’s death and their relationship with police, Bethel remembered an officer who leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.

“It is with a really heavy heart that we announce the loss of Officer Shane Seiber,” Bethel said in a statement following his death. “He fought valiantly.”

Seiber’s wife and other relatives were able to be with him before he died, Bethel said.

“This will be a period of mourning for us,” Bethel said, “but we will stand tall as a department and get through this together.”

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“Black Bottom” — a historic African American neighborhood in West Philadelphia bounded by 32nd Street to the east, 40th Street to the west, University Avenue to the south and Lancaster Avenue to the north — attracted thousands of newly-free Black Americans during the Great Migration. The are…

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