Plaques honor 2 partners who died

Police officers James F. Duffin and John P. Reid were the best of friends.

They went through the Police Academy together, graduating only a month apart in 1966.

They were also together on that fateful day of Jan. 14, 1973, when they were serving a traffic ticket to a motorist when a car with a drunk driver behind the wheel smashed into them.

Duffin, 32, was dragged more than 50 feet after suffering a fatal head injury.

Reid, 38, lived until Dec. 14, 1980, before succumbing to his injuries.

Both officers were part of the Stakeout Unit, which is now the SWAT team. Yesterday, many of the unit officers, friends and family joined elected officials and city representatives in honoring their sacrifices with a the dedication of a plaque outside the entrance to John L. Kinsey Elementary School, Limekiln Pike and Rudley Street.

Mayor-elect Michael Nutter, state Sen. Vincent Fumo and Police Commissioner-designate Charles Ramsey attended, as did Deputy Commissioner Patricia Georgio-Fox, executive officer Kim Byrd and former City Solicitor Jonathan Saidel.

"Duffin and Reid are names that are always said together," said John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5. "They were always together."

Reid was survived by his wife, Clair, daughter Johna and son Edward. Duffin was survived by his wife, Barbara, and their son, James, who followed in his father's footsteps and became a member of the Stakeout Unit.

"I am very proud and moved," James Duffin said after the plaques for his father and Reid were unveiled. "It was a beautiful dedication and I'm just overwhelmed by the support.

"My father had a lot to do with me becoming an officer. I heard many stories when I was young about my dad, and I just wanted to follow in his footsteps."

Reid family representative Linda Dolan also spoke about the bravery the two men showed throughout their careers .

The ceremony honoring these two officers was originally scheduled for Oct. 31, the day officer Chuck Cassidy was killed.

Fumo used the plaque ceremony to announce that he would introduce a bill next session that would mandate a minimum one-year prison term for anyone caught with an unlicensed handgun.

"The normal penalties go up to seven years, but we found that wasn't being enforced enough," said Fumo, to rousing applause. "This is not the sole solution to our problems. This is but one."

The two plaques were sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America and the Record Industry Association of America. To become a sponsor or for more information on the Hero Plaque Program, contact attorney James Binns at 215-275-3000.*