Police ID officer injured in West Philly shooting as Hector Rodriguez III
The 33-year-old was shot a dozen times and received "numerous" surgeries following the Oct. 10 incident, according to a fundraiser for his family.
A 33-year-old police officer who fought for his life after being shot 12 times in an attack that killed his partner, Officer Shane Seiber, was identified by police this week.
Hector Rodriguez III, a nine-year veteran of the department, remains hospitalized after the Saturday morning incident in West Philadelphia, according to police.
Rodriguez and Seiber were responding to a home near North 52nd and Race Streets for a report of a man with a gun when Eric Lewis confronted them on a front porch and drew a handgun, opening fire on both officers.
Lewis then fired at responding officers from a back alleyway during a tense standoff before being arrested by a SWAT unit. He was charged with murder and related crimes, and revelations about the handling of a previous murder case in which he was a defendant have ignited fiery debate within the city’s justice system.
While details about the life of Seiber, a 40-year-old married father of two, were shared widely this week, less has been said of Rodriguez.
A GoFundMe organized on behalf of his family members said Rodriguez is a husband and father of five children.
The officer has undergone “numerous” surgeries during his treatment at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, according to the GoFundMe. Police have not provided an update on his condition this week but said the officer is stable.
The fundraiser has so far raised more than $33,000 to support Rodriguez’ wife and children as they navigate his recovery.
“Please join us in praying for healing, strength, peace, and comfort for this officer, his wife, their five children, and the entire family as they navigate the days ahead,” said the organizer, the Grace Abounds Homeschool Collective, of which Rodriguez is a member.
Meanwhile, the city’s law enforcement community is preparing to lay Seiber to rest.
The officer’s funeral service is set for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter & Paul in Philadelphia. A private internment will follow.
