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City cop suffers heart attack while on duty

A veteran Philadelphia police officer suffered an apparent heart attack last night while on duty. Sgt. Andrew Stackwicz, 57, was found unconscious in his patrol car at about 6:45 p.m. on Glenwood Avenue near Diamond Street in North Philadelphia, said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

    by DAVID GAMBACORTA
    Published 

A veteran Philadelphia police officer suffered an apparent heart attack last night while on duty.

Sgt. Andrew Stackwicz, 57, was found unconscious in his patrol car at about 6:45 p.m. on Glenwood Avenue near Diamond Street in North Philadelphia, said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

The 26-year veteran was listed in critical condition in an intensive-care unit at Temple University Hospital.

Mayor Nutter said Stackwicz was undergoing a battery of tests and appeared to be responsive.

Nutter praised a North Philadelphia resident who discovered Stackwicz in his cruiser and called 9-1-1. Four police officers performed CPR on Stackwicz on the ride up to the hospital, "most likely saving his life," Nutter said.

Stackwicz, a married father of two daughters, works in the 22nd District, headquartered at 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue.

Earlier in the day, Highway Patrol Officer Richard Bowes was released from the Temple hospital, where he was recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

Bowes was wounded chasing Daniel Giddings, who fatally shot Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald, 30. Giddings was shot dead by police. *